In a bold move to shape the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a prominent Kinshasa-based youth organization has publicly declared its stance on the controversial constitutional reform debate gripping the nation. The group, known as Nouvelle Génération, held a press conference Wednesday to outline three critical conditions that must be met before any constitutional changes can proceed.

Three non-negotiable requirements

The youth organization emphasized three key prerequisites for constitutional reform: a clearly demonstrated necessity, broad national consensus, and a peaceful political climate. Speaking on behalf of the group, spokesperson Mukenge Totoro challenged the government and opposition alike to justify their positions with concrete evidence and transparent reasoning.

“Before we take sides, we must ask fundamental questions: Why change the Constitution now? What specific problems does this reform aim to solve? How will it concretely improve the lives of Congolese citizens? Who stands to benefit most—the nation or certain political actors? How can we ensure this reform strengthens democracy rather than serving private interests? Without clear, convincing answers to these questions, the debate will only fuel distrust and division,” Totoro argued.

Youth must lead, not follow

The organization also urged the Congolese youth to reject being used as political tools or electoral reserves. “Our generation must become a force for reflection, innovation, and national transformation,” the statement read. They called for active citizen oversight and constructive engagement rather than passive participation in political strategies.

In response to Wednesday’s opposition-led “ville morte” (ghost town) protest against the constitutional reform project, the youth group acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but urged all parties to prioritize dialogue and constructive reform over confrontation.

The group’s intervention comes at a time of heightened political tension in Kinshasa, where military and police presence has been significantly increased in anticipation of potential unrest. Despite the charged atmosphere, Nouvelle Génération remains committed to promoting stability, national unity, and democratic progress in the DRC.