# DRC referendum dispute and national dialogue launch > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drc-referendum-law-dispute > Updated: 2026-09-12T14:56:48.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 8. On 28 July 2026, the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo interpreted the referendum law and Article 5 of the constitution, limiting referenda to specific constitutional issues while preserving an unlimited original constituent power of the people. The opposition coalition Coalition Article 64 (C64) denounced the ruling as a “judicial rebellion” and a “high-treason” act that could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term. The C64, including Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, and Jean-Marc Kabund, confirmed a national march for 15 September 2026 to converge on the Palais du Peuple in Kinshasa. On 30 August 2026, President Tshisekedi launched a national dialogue titled “Dialogue national pour la paix, la cohésion et la refondation de l’État.” Designed to last up to three months, the process begins with local consultations across 26 provinces to address structural instability, while explicitly excluding armed groups. The C64 rejected the initiative, characterizing it as a “presidency-controlled consultation.” By 12 September 2026, the administration formalized the dialogue process. President Tshisekedi signed an ordinance establishing an Organizing Committee to manage the administrative, logistical, and security preparations for the consultations. Operating under direct presidential authority, the committee is tasked with preparing a report to serve as the basis for formally convening the dialogue. Critics continue to argue that the centralized control of this committee undermines the inclusivity of the negotiations. Tensions regarding the 15 September march persist. In Lubumbashi, interim mayor Joyce Tunda Kazadi officially banned the demonstration, citing a ban in place since July. However, the C64 branch in Haut-Katanga announced its intention to proceed, arguing the prohibition violates constitutional rights to freedom of assembly. ## Claims - The C64 opposition coalition has announced a nationwide peaceful march scheduled for September 15. (disputed by 5 sources) - C64 announced a mobilisation on 15 August 2026. (disputed by 4 sources) - Félix Tshisekedi announced a national dialogue for peace, cohesion, and state refoundation. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The C64 demanded the official convocation of an inclusive national dialogue, an ultimatum that expired on August 15. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Constitutional Court of the DRC declared the referendum law constitutional. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The process will begin with consultations across the 26 provinces before holding sessions in Kinshasa. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Coalition Article 64 rejected the court's decision, calling it null and void. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Coalition Article 64 denounced the court decision as a rebellion against the constitutional order. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The opposition claims constitutional changes are maneuvers to allow President Félix Tshisekedi a third term. (corroborated by 4 sources) - C64 claims the Constitutional Court lacks legitimacy and colludes with President Félix Tshisekedi. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Key figures in C64 include Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean‑Marc Kabund, Augustin Matata Ponyo and Delly Sesanga. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: DRC President Tshisekedi establishes committee for national dialogue DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has established an organizing committee to prepare for a national dialogue aimed at peace and state refoundation, placing the process under direct presidential authority. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/flix-tshisekedi-signs-ordinance-law-for-drc-statistical-activity ### 2026-09-11: C64 opposition coalition calls for DRC march against third term The C64 opposition coalition has called for a national march in the DRC on September 15 to oppose a potential third term for President Tshisekedi, despite a local ban on protests in Lubumbashi. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/c64-opposition-coalition-calls-for-drc-march-against-third-term ### 2026-08-30: DRC: Félix Tshisekedi launches national dialogue for peace and state refoundation Félix Tshisekedi has launched a three-month national dialogue in the DRC to promote peace and state refoundation, starting with provincial consultations despite rejection from opposition coalitions. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/flix-tshisekedi-announces-national-dialogue-for-drc-state-refoundation ### 2026-08-27: Opposition coalition in DRC rejects consultations, maintains September march The Article 64 Coalition and the PDSC have rejected President Tshisekedi’s proposed consultations, accusing him of seeking a third term and calling for a national march on September 15, 2026. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/opposition-coalition-in-drc-rejects-consultations-maintains-september-march ### 2026-08-16: DRC opposition announces national march against constitutional changes The C64 opposition coalition in the DRC has called for a national march on September 15 to protest potential constitutional changes and defend presidential term limits. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/drc-opposition-announces-national-march-against-constitutional-changes ### 2026-08-13: DRC opposition coalition C64 announces national march for September 15 The C64 opposition coalition in the DRC has called for a nationwide march on September 15 to protest potential constitutional changes and demand an inclusive national dialogue. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-calls-to-abandon-constitutional-referendum-bill ### 2026-07-29: Congo's Coalition Article 64 calls for Aug. 15 protests after court backs referendum law Congo's Constitutional Court upheld a referendum law; opposition C64 denounces it as a constitutional breach and calls for nationwide protests on 15 August 2026, while the government says the ruling validates,‑ 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/drc-opposition-coalition-c64-rejects-courts-endorsement-of-referendum-law ### 2026-07-28: 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​ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/congo-constitutional-court-clarifies-referendum-scope-and-sovereignty --- Cite as: DRC referendum dispute and national dialogue launch. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drc-referendum-law-dispute