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DRC referendum dispute and national dialogue launch

Updated 9 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-12 06:51 UTC → 2026-09-14 03:43 UTC · added removed

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 27 August 2026, the C64 rejected President Tshisekedi’s proposed popular consultations, accusing the presidency of using them as a pretext to modify the Constitution for a third term. The Democratic and Christian Social Party (PDSC) announced its support for the C64 and the planned march, arguing the 2006 Constitution must not be altered for personal political ambitions. 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, such as insecurity and land conflicts, while explicitly excluding armed groups. The C64 rejected the initiative, characterizing it as a “presidency-controlled consultation” rather than a true inclusive dialogue. However, consultation.” By 12 September 2026, the BUREC party, ARDEV, and local leaders from Fizi-Itombwe and administration formalized the Rutshuru youth council expressed support. Angolan dialogue process. President João Lourenço welcomed Tshisekedi signed an ordinance establishing an Organizing Committee to manage the initiative, administrative, logistical, and civil society actors formed security preparations for the ‘Alliance citoyenne pour la Patrie’ consultations. Operating under direct presidential authority, the committee is tasked with preparing a report to provide an independent voice during serve as the ongoing crises. By 11 September 2026, tensions escalated 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 planned 15 September march. march persist. In Lubumbashi, interim mayor Joyce Tunda Kazadi officially banned the demonstration, citing a public demonstration 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-14 03:43 UTC DRC referendum dispute and national dialogue launch
  2. 2026-09-12 06:51 UTC DRC referendum dispute and national dialogue launch
  3. 2026-09-01 14:01 UTC DRC referendum dispute and national dialogue launch
  4. 2026-08-31 22:43 UTC DRC referendum dispute and national dialogue launch
  5. 2026-08-28 19:47 UTC DRC referendum law dispute and opposition protests
  6. 2026-08-16 18:03 UTC DRC referendum law dispute and opposition protests
  7. 2026-08-15 22:49 UTC DRC referendum law dispute and opposition protests
  8. 2026-08-14 18:38 UTC DRC referendum law dispute and opposition protests
  9. 2026-07-31 14:23 UTC DRC referendum law dispute
  10. 2026-07-29 21:08 UTC DRC referendum law dispute

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