Protests in Kinshasa Over Constitutional Changes

Violent clashes erupted in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during a protest against a proposed constitutional change. Opponents argue this could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.

The protest, organized by the opposition coalition C64, was dispersed by police using tear gas when demonstrators clashed with pro-government supporters in front of the Parliament.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces multiple crises, including an Ebola outbreak and escalating conflict with M23 rebels supported by Rwanda. These are part of more than 100 armed groups vying for control in the eastern provinces.

Félix Tshisekedi, 62, has been in power since 2019. He is expected to complete his second five-year term by 2028. Tshisekedi has expressed willingness to pursue a third term if voters approve it in a referendum. The Congolese Constitution prohibits any amendment to presidential term limits. However, a draft law in the National Assembly, the lower house, might enable the president to alter these provisions in case of a ‘major dysfunction’ that paralyzes state institutions, potentially following a referendum.

The country’s main opposition parties, previously divided, united in May under the banner C64, or Article 64 Coalition. They oppose what they describe as an attempt by Tshisekedi to stay in power. The coalition calls the proposed changes a ‘grave threat’ to the country’s stability.

The protest led to confrontations between opposition supporters and pro-government activists before police intervened. Among the injured was Martin Fayulu, runner-up in the 2018 presidential elections and a prominent opposition figure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A video on Fayulu’s official Facebook page showed him with visible blood around his eyes and on the collar of his white shirt as his supporters helped him through the crowd.