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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 10 sources · 1 days · First seen 2 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Categories: POLITICS

DRC referendum law dispute

Entities: Jean‑Marc Kabund · Martin Fayulu · Dieudonné Kamuleta · 15 August 2026 mobilisation · Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Overview

On 28 July 2026 the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo issued an interpretation of the country’s referendum law and Article 5 of the constitution. The judges distinguished national sovereignty – exercised directly through referendums or elections – from popular sovereignty, and narrowed the scope of permissible referenda to specific constitutional issues such as relocating the capital, territorial exchange or cession, and constitutional revision, while affirming an unlimited original constituent power of the people.

A day later, the opposition platform Coalition Article 64 rejected the ruling as illegitimate and compromised, accusing the judiciary of a "rebellion" that could enable President Félix Tshisekedi to remain in power. The coalition called for nationwide mobilisation and set 15 August 2026 as a date for protests against the referendum law.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 4 SOURCES] The Constitutional Court declared the referendum law constitutional. (Court decision)
[● 4 SOURCES] Coalition Article 64 rejected the court's decision, calling it null and void. (C64 statement)
[● 3 SOURCES] C64 claims the Constitutional Court lacks legitimacy and colludes with President Félix Tshisekedi. (C64 statement)
[● 3 SOURCES] C64 announced further political actions and a mobilisation on 15 August 2026. (C64 statement)
[● 3 SOURCES] Key figures in C64 include Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean‑Marc Kabund, Augustin Matata Ponyo and Delly Sesanga. (C64 composition)
[● 3 SOURCES] C64 warned the court’s decision could lead to balkanisation of the Republic. (C64 statement)
[● 3 SOURCES] The Constitutional Court of the DRC declared the referendum law constitutional. (court decision)
[● 3 SOURCES] C64 announced further political actions and protests on 15 August 2026. (C64 statement)
[● 2 SOURCES] The court’s ruling could enable President Félix Tshisekedi to pursue a third term. (Analysis of ruling implications)
[● 2 SOURCES] C64 accused the Constitutional Court of lacking legitimacy and being corrupted by President Félix Tshisekedi. (C64 statement)
[● 2 SOURCES] C64 warned that the court's decision threatens constitutional order and could lead to the balkanisation of the Republic. (C64 statement)
[● 2 SOURCES] C64 includes opposition figures Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean‑Marc Kabund, Augustin Matata Ponyo and Delly Sesanga. (C64 composition)

Timeline

1 day ago

[POLITICS] 9 sources
DRC opposition coalition C64 rejects court decision, calls for Aug 15 protests
DRC opposition coalition C64 denounced the constitutional court's validation of a referendum law, calling it illegitimate and announcing protests on Aug 15, 2026.
2 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
DRC Constitutional Court Clarifies Scope of Referendum Law
The DRC constitutional court defined the referendum’s scope, linking it to specific constitutional provisions and distinguishing national from popular sovereignty, while lawmaker Paul Ngondankoy welcomed the R

Sources

abertoatedemadrugada.com · actualite.cd · africtelegraph.com · congorassure.cd · election-net.com · pressafrik.com · radiookapi.net · rufinoweb.com.ar · umuseke.rw · yabisonews.cd