Despite a nationwide shutdown declared by opposition parties in Kinshasa, the government remains steadfast in its push for constitutional reforms. Both sides now claim victory in what has become the latest high-stakes political standoff in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Wednesday afternoon saw a slow return to normalcy in the capital, as residents cautiously emerged following the opposition-led “dead city” campaign. Organized under the banner of the Coalition Article 64, the protest aimed to pressure President Félix Tshisekedi into scrapping his constitutional amendment plans.
Capital locked down under heavy security
Across multiple districts of Kinshasa, streets remained largely deserted. Fear of potential clashes and the visible deployment of security forces kept most citizens indoors. Schools closed, public transport halted, and businesses boarded up their doors.
“No students are out today. Even the roads are empty. The schools are shut. We don’t want the Constitution changed. If we didn’t resist, we’d have to go to work. The people are against it,” shared a resident from one of the city’s neighborhoods.
Another local described the tense atmosphere, saying:
“It’s not safe here right now. Soldiers and police are everywhere, dispersing small groups. You can’t move freely—no cars, no motorbikes. The shops are closed. The situation is tense.”
Opposition celebrates strong turnout amid crackdown
Following the shutdown, opposition leaders declared the campaign a historic success, citing overwhelming public participation. They vowed to escalate protests in the coming weeks to block the constitutional amendments.
Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the Lamuka Coalition, framed the shutdown as a clear rebuke of the president’s leadership.
“Ninety-nine percent of Kinshasa’s residents stayed home—not just following the opposition’s call, but rejecting Félix Tshisekedi’s authoritarian attempt to rewrite the Constitution for personal gain. He should listen to the message sent by the people who chose to stay inside,” he warned.
Government dismisses opposition claims, vows to proceed
The ruling party, Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), pushed back strongly against opposition narratives, insisting the shutdown had minimal impact. Christian Lumu Lukusa, Vice President of the UDPS Youth League, dismissed claims of mass compliance with the opposition’s directives.
“Despite attempts to incite violence, the people did not follow those orders. Kinshasa is fully operational,” he stated, adding that the government would not back down from constitutional reform.
“This amendment is necessary to modernize our institutions and meet national needs. We will proceed,” he affirmed.
Referendum proposal deepens political divide
Lumu Lukusa confirmed that the proposed reforms would be put to a referendum, following the National Assembly’s adoption of the referendum bill on May 27. The opposition, however, continues to denounce the move as unconstitutional, setting the stage for further political confrontations in the days ahead.
