DR Congo president enacts referendum law

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has signed a law permitting the constitution to be altered or replaced via a referendum. This legislative action has sparked concern among critics who fear it could provide a pathway for Tshisekedi to run for a third term in the resource-rich nation. Tshisekedi, who has been in power since 2019, is scheduled to fulfill his second and final term under the existing constitution within two years.

During a May press conference, he declared that he was not pursuing constitutional amendments to retain his position, but would accept a third term if the Congolese populace endorsed it. Prior to the rule of Mobutu Sese Seko, who governed the country for three decades before being ousted in 1997, the nation had endured a series of conflicts.

Following years of warfare, its 2006 constitution was instituted to prevent a recurrence of dictatorship, including the establishment of term limits for the presidency. However, Tshisekedi's predecessor, Joseph Kabila, managed to remain in office for two years after his final term expired. Opposition leaders have united in opposition to any attempt to prolong Tshisekedi's tenure, staging demonstrations domestically and garnering backing from European governments.

They contend that a referendum cannot supersede the constitution's prohibition on modifying presidential term limits.