Democratic Republic of the Congo debates constitutional referendum law

The Congolese National Assembly has re-adopted a law governing the organization of a referendum, following specific reservations issued by the Constitutional Court. The legislation has now been returned to the Senate for further review.

The legislative process follows a previous adoption by both chambers in June 2026. While the Constitutional Court declared the text compliant with the Constitution in July 2026, it mandated clarifications on several articles. The proposed framework provides for a popular consultation and includes provisions that could lead to the drafting of a new Constitution.

President Félix Tshisekedi has sparked significant political division regarding these potential reforms. While the President maintains that any constitutional changes must reflect the sovereignty of the people and denies any intent to extend his term, opposition leaders and civil society groups have expressed concern. Critics argue that the administration should focus on upholding the current Constitution and have called for an inclusive national dialogue to address institutional stability.