DRC court clears path to change a constitution that says it can't be changed

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Constitutional Court has approved a referendum law that critics say could pave the way for President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term in office, prompting a coalition of opposition parties to reject the ruling and vow to fight the change.

The C64 opposition coalition is voicing its anger against the Constitutional Court ruling that validated a law on organising a referendum about the DRC’s constitution that could extend the rule of President Felix Tshisekedi.

The coalition brings together figures such as Martin Fayulu, Jean-Marc Kabund, Moïse Katumbi, Augustin Matata Ponyo and Delly Sesanga.

Following a consultation on Wednesday, they denounced what they called “high treason” and reaffirmed their opposition to any revision of the constitution.

They believe the court now lacks credibility and legitimacy for having paved the way for a constitutional amendment.

“The court’s ruling confirms the plot against the constitutional order and paves the way for the Balkanisation of the Republic,” Dieudonné Bolengetenge, secretary-general of Katumbi’s party, said, as one of RFI’s correspondents in Kinshasa reported.

“The C64 reiterates that this ruling constitutes a judicial rebellion by the Constitutional Court against the sovereign people, who will ultimately defeat it,” he added. “The Congolese people will accept neither the circumvention of the constitution, nor the personalisation of institutions, nor a change to the constitution, nor a third term.”

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