The Article 64 coalition, currently leading the resistance against constitutional amendments in the République démocratique du Congo (RDC), has secured a formidable ally. The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has issued a stern rejection of the proposed changes, which many view as a strategy to allow President Félix Tshisekedi to bypass the current two-term limit and seek a third mandate. The religious leadership argues that this political maneuver places the entire nation in jeopardy.
Ignoring the warnings could be a grave mistake for the presidency
The Catholic Church warns that any attempt to force through these modifications carries immense dangers, including the potential balkanization of the country. Religious leaders have called upon the Congolese people to stand firm and take control of their destiny to avoid mortgaging the future of the nation. Furthermore, CENCO has explicitly urged President Félix Tshisekedi to remain faithful to his oath of office, which requires him to uphold and protect the existing Constitution.
Whether these pleas will be acknowledged remains to be seen. However, it is certain that the government will view this intervention with hostility. The bishops’ statement comes shortly after Parliament passed legislation regarding referendums, effectively granting the executive branch the green light to proceed with constitutional changes. It appears the administration is committed to seeing this through, raising the question of whether the Church is simply shouting into the void or if Félix Tshisekedi will experience a moment of clarity.
While the clergy insists they are not officially joining the political opposition, their firm stance provides significant momentum to those fighting the reform. President Félix Tshisekedi would be unwise to turn a deaf ear to these concerns. The emergence of multiple opposition fronts threatens to weaken his administration, and the consequences could be severe. As advocates for peace, the bishops are within their rights to demand respect for the constitutional order, especially regarding a project that is already dividing the population and creating a volatile atmosphere.
The Congolese people are already enduring enough hardship
The involvement of CENCO undoubtedly complicates matters for the presidency. While the administration might have felt confident facing only political opponents—who have already seen their protests met with force—the entry of the Catholic Church as a major civil society actor changes the dynamic. CENCO has already signaled to its clergy that further actions may be on the horizon.
Félix Tshisekedi faces a turbulent period ahead. It is worth noting that he once benefited from the very same activism by the Catholic Church when he was in the opposition. In 2017, it was the Church that helped pressure Joseph Kabila to abandon his own ambitions for an unconstitutional term extension. To secure a positive legacy in history, the current head of state must weigh his options carefully. With the ongoing conflict in the East and the persistent threat of Ebola, the people of the République démocratique du Congo are already suffering enough without the added burden of a manufactured political crisis.
