The contentious debate surrounding constitutional revision in the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) has now entered a critical judicial phase. On June 4, 2026, in Kinshasa, leaders of the Coalition Article 64 (C64) presented an assertive assessment of their ‘dead city’ operation, which had commenced the previous day. They asserted that numerous major urban centers across the nation had heeded their call, directly refuting official narratives that attempted to downplay the mobilization as confined solely to the capital. This nationwide action was intended as a real-world test of the opposition’s capacity to influence the institutional agenda being advanced by the presidential majority.
Opposition expands front against constitutional overhaul
Formed to champion Article 64 of the Congolese Basic Law, which guarantees citizens the right to resist any seizure of power by force or in violation of the Constitution, the C64 brings together several prominent figures who oppose the proposed reform. Among them, opposition leader Delly Sesanga lauded the adherence to their appeal in cities beyond Kinshasa. The coalition has firmly established itself as a primary political vehicle for challenging the constitutional project initiated by the presidential camp.
While discussions about constitutional revision are not new, they have intensified as members of the ruling majority have increasingly highlighted the necessity of adapting the fundamental text. The opposition interprets this as a strategic maneuver designed to pave the way for a third term for Félix Tshisekedi, who was elected in 2018 and re-elected in late 2023. The current Congolese Constitution strictly limits presidential terms to two consecutive mandates, a symbolic safeguard inherited from the post-Mobutu transition and frequently invoked as a cornerstone of democratic governance.
Filing a complaint against Félix Tshisekedi marks a qualitative leap
The most significant announcement from the conference was the imminent filing of a formal complaint targeting the head of state and those the coalition identifies as his accomplices. The chosen legal qualification, ‘attempted overthrow of constitutional order,’ is far from trivial. It directly invokes the most severe criminal penalties associated with attacks on state institutions. By shifting the discourse to the judicial arena, the C64 aims to transform a political protest into a legal case, potentially mobilizing other key actors such as magistrates, the bar association, or civil society organizations.
Evidently, this legal initiative carries profound symbolic weight. Few in Kinshasa anticipate a swift resolution of proceedings directed against the sitting president. However, the action firmly implants a specific interpretation into the public consciousness: that of a government suspected of preparing an unconstitutional institutional power grab. For Delly Sesanga and his allies, the objective is as much about establishing a clear red line as it is about compelling the majority to clarify its intentions regarding term limits and the precise scope of the envisioned revision.
Tense political climate ahead of key deadlines
The RDC is navigating a delicate political period. The government must contend with a deteriorating security situation in the East, marked by the activities of the M23 group and diplomatic pressures related to the Rwandan dossier. Domestically, the constitutional revision introduces an additional fault line between Kinshasa and an opposition that, while fragmented, is striving to coalesce around clear and straightforward directives. The C64 is banking on this clarity to broaden its public appeal.
The actual extent of compliance with the ‘dead city’ operation remains a point of contention. Authorities have consistently downplayed its scale, while organizers claim success far beyond the capital. Without independent, consolidated data, evaluating its impact remains open to interpretation. Crucially, the coalition’s ability to sustain pressure over time and to rally other political figures, along with provincial networks, will determine its influence in the power dynamic with the Tshisekedi camp.
For regional observers, the Congolese precedent aligns with a broader continental trend of debates over term limits, ranging from recent events in Sénégal to older West African examples. Each episode shapes the political narrative of the continent and influences the governance standards expected by international partners.
