Félix Tshisekedi faces criticism over third‑term push and crackdown on Kinshasa protests

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has signaled a bid for a third term, linking the 2028 elections to the country's security situation and proposing constitutional changes. Analysts note a sharp rise in armed groups in the east, with the M23 rebels capturing key cities in early 2025 and displacing millions of Congolese. Economic indicators remain bleak, with inflation, a depreciating franc and over two‑thirds of the population living in poverty.

On 12 June, a sit‑in by the C64 opposition coalition outside Kinshasa’s Parliament was violently dispersed. Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévôt called the “excessive use of violence” “interpellant” and stressed that “the freedom to demonstrate peacefully is an essential principle.” Belgium urged Kinshasa to conduct an “objective” investigation into the incident, placing additional pressure on a government already accused of using the referendum law to pave the way for a third presidential term.