Democratic Republic of Congo
Opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo have called on President Félix Tshisekedi to resign and organize a massive protest against proposed constitutional changes that would allow him to serve a third term.
A group known as C64 issued a statement during a press conference in Kinshasa, saying they would not back down and calling on the population to organize a ‘mass mobilization’ on July 22 to demand Tshisekedi’s resignation.
‘This march will say no to the unconstitutional coup, no to the seizure of popular sovereignty, no to endless war and bad governance. It will say yes to the Constitution, peace, justice, and democratic transfer of power,’ said Jean-Marc Kabund, opposition leader.
Tensions between the government and its opponents have been rising since the parliament, dominated by the ruling party, approved a proposal to extend Tshisekedi’s term.
‘There can be no question of suspending civil actions or engaging in dialogue until Tshisekedi has publicly and definitively renounced his plan for constitutional modification, which is dividing the nation and threatening the country with fragmentation,’ Kabund added.
Tshisekedi, 63, has been in power since 2019. His second and final five-year term is set to end in 2028.
He has yet to decide whether to promulgate the proposed law.
