Politics · Other · 7 hrs ago
Tshisekedi signs DR Congo referendum law amid third-term fears
DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi signed a law enabling constitutional referendums.
The law, approved by parliament last month, sets out how a new constitution could be drafted and how existing rules could be changed.
Opposition figures fear a referendum could clear the way for Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
Under the current constitution, he must leave office at the end of his second term in 2028.
Tshisekedi has denied seeking another term but said he would accept one if the Congolese people wanted it.
Critics worry a referendum could remove the two-term limit or change presidential terms, which parliament cannot revise under the current constitution.
No referendum date has been announced, and Tshisekedi has said elections due in late 2028 may be delayed if conflict in eastern Congo continues and rebels retain control of territory in North and South Kivu.
Felix Tshisekedi has signed a law easing the rules for holding a referendum on constitutional changes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The law sets out how a new constitution could be drafted and put to a referendum, and how existing provisions could be changed.
Opposition figures say it could help Tshisekedi seek a third term, which he denies pursuing.
The law has prompted protests, while no date has been announced for a possible referendum.
Under the current constitution, Tshisekedi’s second five-year term ends in 2028.
- Who
- President Felix Tshisekedi signed the law. Opposition figures have criticised it.
- What
- The law eases the rules for holding a referendum on constitutional matters.
- When
- It was signed on Monday, according to the Straits Times; Africanews said it was enacted in an order read on national television overnight Tuesday to Wednesday.
- Where
- The Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Why
- The law provides a process for constitutional changes. Critics fear it could open the way for Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
Opposition figures
Felix Tshisekedi
Purpose and effect
Opposition figures
They say the law could help Tshisekedi change the constitution and extend his time in power.
Felix Tshisekedi
Tshisekedi has denied seeking a third term, but said he would accept one if Congolese people wanted it.
Term limits
Opposition figures
They fear a referendum could be used to remove the two-term presidential limit.
Felix Tshisekedi
He has said he has not sought a third term; the sources do not report him stating a position on changing the term limit.
Tshisekedi became president, according to Africanews.
Tshisekedi won the election by a landslide, according to Africanews.
Demonstrations called by the opposition against what it called a constitutional coup took place in Kinshasa and other cities.
Parliament approved the referendum law, according to the Straits Times.
Tshisekedi signed the law, according to the Straits Times.
The signing was announced on state television, with the reports describing the timing differently.
- President
- Felix Tshisekedi
- Country
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Term ends
- 2028
- Presidential term
- Five years, according to Africanews
- Referendum date
- Not announced
- Opposition platform
- C64
3 sources
What people are saying
not sought a third term
If people want me to have a third term, I will accept.