Democratic Republic of Congo: Opposition rejects president's candidacy for a third term

Written by: Ayman Ragab

The opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Tuesday its rejection of a draft law that could pave the way for President Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third term, considering it an attempt to seize power.

The Senate approved the bill on Monday, paving the way for a referendum on a new constitution that would disregard Tshisekedi's previous terms, effectively resetting the political landscape. The National Assembly had already approved the bill, and it now awaits the president's signature.

Tshisekedi, 62, has been in office since 2019 and has confirmed his intention to run for a third term if voters approve it through a referendum, the date of which has not yet been set.

The Congolese constitution explicitly prohibits amending the restrictions relating to the number of presidential terms.

However, the bill goes beyond this limitation, as it allows the president to amend the constitution in the event of a “major malfunction” that disrupts state institutions.

The Central African nation faces several crises, including the spread of Ebola and the escalation of a decades-long conflict with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, one of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of the eastern provinces.

The next presidential elections in Congo are expected to take place in 2028.

Tshisekedi had stated last month that his country would not be able to organize and hold elections unless the conflict was ended and stability was restored.

The vote took place in both the Senate and the National Assembly in the absence of opposition MPs, who withdrew weeks earlier in protest against the bill.