KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — The Democratic Republic of Congo’s opposition is mobilizing against President Felix Tshisekedi’s apparent intention to seek a third term, organizing demonstrations across the country, particularly in the capital, Kinshasa. These protests come amidst rising political tensions, as the country grapples with decades-long conflict and an ongoing Ebola outbreak in its eastern regions. Tshisekedi, who assumed office in 2019, signaled his willingness to run for a third term if the public supports the move.
His announcement has sparked widespread opposition, led by the Article 64 Coalition (C64), which is resisting proposed constitutional changes that could facilitate his extended presidency. Critics argue that the proposed reforms threaten stability and are a thinly veiled attempt for Tshisekedi to exceed the current term limits.
The C64 coalition, which counts former presidential candidate Moise Katumbi and ex-minister Delly Sesanga among its members, has vowed to challenge the proposed reforms “whatever it takes. “Political tensions in the DRC have been heightened by the proposed referendum on constitutional change, which has been passed by parliament, where the presidential bloc enjoys a commanding majority.
The country’s Ebuteli research centre has pointed out that “parliamentary oversight is rarely exercised, “fueling concerns about the independence of the process.
The opposition’s efforts have been met with resistance from the government, which has dismissed accusations of violence against protesters.
The government’s stance is that its response was justified, though the situation remains tense. With the proposed referendum on the horizon, the opposition’s protests could escalate in the coming weeks. Despite the challenges, including the C64 coalition’s weakened state after the 2023 election, which Tshisekedi won with 73 percent of the vote, the opposition remains steadfast in its opposition to Tshisekedi’s third-term bid.
As the country’s political landscape continues to evolve, the future of the DRC hangs in the balance, with the opposition’s protests signaling a significant challenge to Tshisekedi’s third-term ambitions.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Estelle.Bronkhorst
