The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Senate has passed a referendum bill that could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to bypass the constitution’s strict two-term limit and pursue a third term. The move comes days after violent clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters. Tshisekedi, whose second term ends in 2028, says he would accept an extended mandate “if the people wish it” via referendum. While supporters argue the bill is a technical measure, opposition parties see it as a strategy by Tshisekedi to extend his hold on power. Opposition coalitions, now unified against the move, stand to lose political ground if the bill—still requiring Constitutional Court approval—proceeds. The maneuver unfolds as the DRC simultaneously battles an Ebola outbreak and the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency, raising questions about democratic stability in a nation already strained by overlapping crises.
The Punch
