Congo opposition warns Tshisekedi’s new referendum law could open door to rule beyond 2028
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s opposition is challenging a law signed by President Félix Tshisekedi that eases the rules for constitutional referendums, saying it could allow changes that keep him in office past 2028.
A new law in the Democratic Republic of Congo that makes it easier to hold referendums on constitutional changes has triggered a sharp reaction from opposition parties worried about President Félix Tshisekedi’s long‑term plans.
The measure, announced in an order read on national television, relaxes the conditions for organizing popular votes on amendments to the constitution. Opposition groups argue that this shift threatens current limits on presidential terms and say it could be used to clear a path for Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond 2028, when his present mandate is due to end.
Tshisekedi has not publicly stated an intention to alter term limits, and his supporters present the law as a way to make constitutional change more accessible when needed. Opposition figures view it differently, pointing to regional precedents in which leaders have used legal and referendum tools to remove or extend term caps.
The argument comes at a time when Congo faces persistent conflict in the east, large‑scale displacement and pressure to manage its mineral wealth more transparently. Political battles in Kinshasa over succession rules can weaken public confidence in national institutions and distract from efforts to stabilise insecure provinces and regulate major mining projects.
If the new framework is used to propose changes that would allow Tshisekedi to stay beyond his current term, it could provoke protests in cities and increase tensions between the government and opposition strongholds. That kind of confrontation risks security crackdowns and could make it harder for the state to claim broad legitimacy.
Foreign governments and investors will be watching how the law is applied. The DRC is a major producer of minerals essential for global industries, and questions about constitutional order and leadership transitions often feed into concerns about contract reliability and policy continuity.
Inside Tshisekedi’s own camp, any move to alter term‑limit rules could expose differences among allies who have their own political ambitions or who worry about the public response in their constituencies.
Key developments to track include any government indication of which constitutional articles might be put to a referendum, potential challenges before the Constitutional Court, and the opposition’s ability to coordinate a sustained response if the law is used in ways they see as undermining the current two‑term limit.
Sources
- OSINT