Kinshasa experienced a subdued resumption of daily life on Wednesday afternoon following a ‘ghost town’ protest called by opposition factions united under the Coalition Article 64 (C64). The demonstration aimed to pressure President Félix Tshisekedi into abandoning his constitutional reform initiative. While opposition leaders claim widespread public support, the ruling camp dismisses the impact and vows to push ahead with the reforms.
Capital paralyzed under heavy security
Residents in multiple districts of the Congolese capital chose to stay indoors. Between fears of potential clashes and the conspicuous presence of security forces, Kinshasa’s streets wore an uncharacteristically quiet demeanor.
“I haven’t seen students leaving school. There’s no traffic at all. Schools are closed. We don’t want the Constitution changed. If we didn’t resist, we’d have to go to work. The people don’t want this,” shared a resident of Kinshasa.
Another local described a tense atmosphere with strict movement restrictions:
“On this side, things feel tense. There are soldiers and police everywhere breaking up gatherings. No one can go out—no cars or motorcycles on the roads. The situation is dire. Shops are shuttered.”
Opposition declares historic turnout
After the protest, opposition leaders hailed what they described as a massively successful mobilization. They announced plans for further large-scale actions to block the constitutional reform.
Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the Lamuka coalition, framed the protest as a clear rebuke of the president.
“The people of Kinshasa responded at a rate of 99.9% to the opposition’s call. By staying home, beyond answering the opposition’s appeal, they rejected President Félix Tshisekedi’s dictatorial agenda to alter the Constitution for his own political survival. It’s time he heeds the people’s message,” he warned.
Ruling party rejects opposition claims
The presidential majority strongly disputed the opposition’s interpretation of the protest. Officials from the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) asserted that the opposition’s call failed to resonate with the public and that normal activity resumed in the capital.
Christian Lumu Lukusa, vice-president of the UDPS Youth League, dismissed claims of widespread compliance with the shutdown.
“Despite attempts by some opposition leaders to incite violence, the people did not follow their orders. I assure you, Kinshasa is fully operational,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pushing forward with the constitutional reform.
“Regarding the constitutional reform project, we will proceed because it serves a national necessity and aligns with our goal of modernizing institutions,” he emphasized.
Referendum proposal fuels political divide
According to Christian Lumu Lukusa, the proposed reform would require a referendum. This follows the National Assembly’s adoption on May 27 of a bill proposing a referendum on the matter.
The opposition continues to condemn the initiative, arguing it violates the existing Constitution. The deepening rift between the government and opposition suggests further political confrontations lie ahead.
