Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo painted a grim picture of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Addressing the faithful gathered at Notre-Dame du Congo Cathedral, the Archbishop of Kinshasa condemned the persistent insecurity, armed conflicts, the presence of foreign troops on Congolese soil, widespread poverty, and the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic. In this context, he argued that revising the constitution is not a priority.

“Do we truly believe that changing the constitution – which is being touted as a solution to all these dark scenarios – do we truly believe that changing the constitution to allow a third term is the most adequate response to the suffering of the Congolese people? Given the gravity of the current situation, we see neither the necessity nor the urgency of a constitutional change. The priority for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is peace. That is why the National Episcopal Conference of Congo continues to work and will always commit to creating conditions for a global and inclusive dialogue,” Ambongo asserted.

Opposition mobilises

This stance is also backed by the Lay Coordination Committee, CENCO, and the Church of Christ in Congo, which likewise maintain that a constitutional reform is neither necessary nor urgent under current conditions.

Marie-Ange Mushobekwa, a former minister and senior figure in the Common Front for Congo (FCC)—the political platform of former president Joseph Kabila—was present at the ceremony and reiterated her structure’s opposition to any amendment of Article 220 of the constitution.

“Article 220 is inviolable, and the constitution clearly states that any elected president is entitled to a single renewable term. After two terms, the president must leave power and hand over to a successor chosen by the Congolese people. That said, all political parties and platforms that make up the FCC will now take part in all demonstrations to prevent any constitutional change. 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 came from some citizen movements. Plamédie Bamata of the Patriotism movement urged Congolese youth to take part in the opposition’s planned demonstration on July 8.

“We are determined to put an end to this third-term project, for which Congolese have already shed much blood fighting to make this constitution exist. We will be in the streets on July 8. We will march all the way to the Palace of the Nation to show our discontent and say no to any plan to balkanize our country,” Bamata insisted.

After its adoption by both chambers of Parliament, the bill setting the terms for organizing 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 a referendum.

The opposition, for its part, believes it could pave the way for a revision of the fundamental law.