oluwatosin oyeniyi KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Tensions escalated in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday as hundreds of people took to the streets of Kinshasa to oppose proposed constitutional changes that critics say could clear the way for President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
The demonstration, organised by the C64 opposition coalition, began peacefully but was disrupted after clashes broke out between protesters and pro-government supporters. Police used tear gas and fired warning shots to disperse the crowd before demonstrators could reach Parliament. Similar opposition gatherings were disrupted in several other cities.
The opposition has reported at least one death. The ADD Congo party said one of its members was found unconscious after the clashes and later died at Olympic Hospital. Those circumstances have not been independently established. At least 10 people were also reported arrested in connection with the protests.
The unrest represents another escalation in the political dispute surrounding proposed changes to the country’s constitutional framework.
Why the Constitution Is at the Centre of the Dispute
Under the DRC’s current constitution, the president serves five-year terms and can be re-elected only once. Tshisekedi, who first took office in 2019 and won a second term in 2023, would therefore be constitutionally limited to his current mandate under the existing framework.
The controversy intensified in June, when Parliament approved legislation allowing constitutional changes to be submitted to voters in a referendum.
The proposed process does not itself give Tshisekedi a third term. However, critics argue that changes to the constitutional framework could remove or alter the existing term-limit restrictions and potentially allow him to seek another mandate.
Tshisekedi has previously indicated that he would accept another term if Congolese voters wanted it, while supporters of constitutional reform have openly backed changes that could make another candidacy possible.
The opposition views the proposal differently, arguing that altering the rules around presidential tenure could weaken constitutional safeguards and create political uncertainty.
Opposition Mobilisation Grows
The protests were organised by C64, a broad opposition platform that includes figures associated with former presidential candidates Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi and Delly Sesanga.
The coalition has previously demonstrated against the proposed reforms, including protests in June that were also dispersed by security forces.
Tuesday’s mobilisation was not limited to Kinshasa. Demonstrations or attempted gatherings were reported in cities including Lubumbashi, Kananga and Kisangani, although authorities disrupted several of them.
The government’s position is that constitutional reform can proceed through the legal process. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has also said citizens have a constitutional right to demonstrate when protests are conducted lawfully.
The disagreement is therefore increasingly centred on both the substance of the proposed reforms and the conditions under which Congolese citizens can challenge them.
A Sensitive Political Moment
The protests come as the DRC is already dealing with major security and humanitarian pressures.
Conflict involving armed groups in the east continues to place pressure on the government, while the country is also responding to an Ebola outbreak. Authorities have previously restricted public gatherings in several provinces, including Kinshasa, citing public-health concerns.
That combination makes political stability particularly important.
A prolonged confrontation over constitutional reform could divert attention and state resources from other national challenges, while violent protests could deepen mistrust between opposition groups and security authorities.
For the opposition, the immediate challenge will be maintaining mobilisation without allowing demonstrations to descend into violence. For the government, the handling of protests will influence perceptions of the constitutional process and the political environment surrounding any eventual referendum.
What Happens Next?
C64 is expected to meet to determine its next response, with opposition figures considering further mobilisation and appeals for international attention.
The government’s next steps will also be closely watched. Whether it chooses to continue with the constitutional process, expand consultations or seek broader political dialogue could influence how the dispute develops.
The key issue is not simply whether constitutional amendments eventually reach a referendum. It is whether the process is sufficiently transparent and broadly accepted to prevent the constitutional question from becoming another source of political instability.
The DRC has experienced periods of intense political tension when questions surrounding presidential mandates and electoral rules have remained unresolved. The current dispute is unfolding against that history.
For now, the streets of Kinshasa have become another arena in the constitutional debate.
The coming weeks will show whether Tuesday’s protests remain a short-lived confrontation or become part of a broader political mobilisation over the future of presidential term limits in the DRC.
