DRC: Tshisekedi supporters rally in favor of constitutional reform

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, supporters of the presidential majority organized a large-scale rally to demonstrate their backing for the constitutional reform initiative championed by President Félix Tshisekedi.

This demonstration came a week after a gathering organized by the opposition, which had also mobilized in significant numbers, but to denounce this same constitutional amendment. Both sides are thus seeking to influence public debate on a matter considered sensitive for the country's institutional future.

The constitutional reform proposal, whose precise details remain subject to debate, has raised concerns among parts of the opposition and Congolese civil society, who fear the head of state may be seeking to relax certain institutional rules, particularly those governing the length or number of presidential terms. The president's supporters, meanwhile, argue for the need to adapt the country's fundamental texts to current realities.

Wednesday's mobilization aimed to demonstrate the breadth of popular support for the presidential camp on this issue, at a time when debate over constitutional revision is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

No date has yet been officially announced for formally launching the revision process, which will need to follow the procedures laid out in the current Congolese Constitution, including a possible referendum or parliamentary vote.