The debate over amending the constitution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to ignite public discourse. On 27 May, the National Assembly passed a bill setting the terms for a referendum. Since then, tensions have escalated between the ruling majority, which argues for a necessary institutional overhaul, and the opposition, which denounces what it sees as a scheme to keep President Félix Tshisekedi in office.
A divided youth faces a major issue
But beyond the politicians’ speeches, a central question remains: what do young Congolese, who make up the majority of the population, think? Is this a historic opportunity to rebuild the nation or a distraction from urgent social and security concerns? In Kinshasa, several young people express contrasting views. Some see the reform proposal as a chance to rethink the country’s institutional foundations. Others, however, question the timing and the government’s priorities amid persistent economic and security challenges.
Katumbi raises the stakes: ‘a red line’
“The Constitution is not a shirt you change at will,” opposition figure Moïse Katumbi said in response to the constitutional reform plan. He believes the government is crossing a red line.
Protests, national dialogue, governance and the country’s political future: in an exclusive interview, Moïse Katumbi answered bluntly and directly challenged President Félix Tshisekedi on his intentions and the consequences of such a project for Congolese democracy.
C64 coalition announces legal offensive
On 9 June in Kinshasa, the C64 coalition, which brings together several opposition parties including Moïse Katumbi’s, plans to file a complaint against Félix Tshisekedi. It accuses the head of state of attempting to seize power by force. This initiative marks a new step in the escalation of political tensions, in an already highly charged atmosphere.
Asked about this move, legal expert Jonas Ngalamulume downplayed its impact. He considers it primarily a symbolic act. While acknowledging that the complaint is part of the opposition’s political strategy, he stressed that its concrete legal effects could be limited. Nevertheless, it helps fuel public debate and increase pressure on the institutions.
As positions harden on both sides, the constitutional reform question now goes beyond the legal framework to become a major political issue. Caught between reform ambitions and accusations of authoritarian drift, the institutional future of the DRC remains dependent on upcoming decisions and the reactions of the population.