Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo has painted a grim picture of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking to the faithful gathered at Notre-Dame du Congo Cathedral, the Archbishop of Kinshasa condemned the ongoing insecurity, armed conflicts, the presence of foreign forces on Congolese soil, widespread poverty, and the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic. Given this context, he argued that a revision of the constitution is not a priority.
“Do we really think that changing the Constitution, promoted as a solution to all these dark scenarios, is the most appropriate response to the tragedies facing the Congolese people? Considering the severity of the current situation, we see neither the necessity nor the urgency of a constitutional change. The priority for the Democratic Republic of Congo is peace. That is why the National Episcopal Conference of Congo continues to work and will always commit to creating conditions for a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue,” Ambongo stated firmly.
Opposition mobilisation
This position is also supported by the Lay Coordination Committee, CENCO, and the Church of Christ in Congo, which similarly believe that a constitutional reform is neither necessary nor urgent in the current context.
Present at the celebration, Marie-Ange Mushobekwa, a former minister and senior member of the Front commun pour le Congo, the platform of former President Joseph Kabila, reaffirmed her group’s opposition to any amendment of Article 220 of the Constitution.
“Article 220 is untouchable, and the Constitution clearly states that any elected president is entitled to a single renewable term. After these two terms, one must leave power and hand over to the successor chosen by the Congolese people. That said, all political parties and platforms within the FCC will now participate in all demonstrations to prevent any change to the Constitution. We will be in the streets on July 8 to defend and protect our Constitution,” Mushobekwa reminded.
“We will be in the streets on July 8”
Similar sentiments were echoed by certain citizen movements. Plamedie Bamata of the Patriotism movement called on Congolese youth to join the demonstration announced by the opposition on July 8.
“We are determined to end this project for a third term, for which Congolese have already shed much blood fighting to ensure this Constitution exists. We will be in the streets on July 8. We will march to the Palace of the Nation to show our discontent and say no to any plan to balkanise our country,” Bamata insisted.
After being adopted by both chambers of Parliament, the bill setting the modalities for organising a referendum on constitutional change has been sent to the President of the Republic for promulgation.
The government and the majority present this law as a text intended to legally frame the use of the referendum.
The opposition, for its part, believes it could pave the way for a revision of the fundamental law.
