Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo fired tear gas and warning shots to break up opposition-led demonstrations in Kinshasa on Tuesday as protesters challenged proposed constitutional changes that could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
Hundreds of people took part in the demonstrations in the capital, with at least 10 protesters reportedly arrested during clashes with security officers. Similar protests were reported in Lubumbashi, a major mining city in south-eastern Congo, and Uvira, despite restrictions on public gatherings introduced as the country deals with an Ebola outbreak.
The demonstrations were organised by the C64 coalition, a group of opposition parties created in May to oppose moves that could alter the country's constitutional system.
The coalition takes its name from Article 64 of the Constitution, which allows citizens to resist attempts to take power in violation of constitutional rules. It brings together opposition leaders including Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, Jean-Marc Kabund and Delly Sesanga.
Mohamed Eyenga, a senior C64 official and member of the Envol opposition party, said several activists were detained during the protests.
“Many of our activists were unfortunately and arbitrarily arrested. We were taken aback by the large deployment of the army and police to prevent this peaceful demonstration,” he stated.
Provincial police commander General Blaise Kilimbalimba rejected the allegation, saying those who demonstrated peacefully were not arrested.
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya also said citizens have the right to demonstrate as long as they follow the law.
At the centre of the dispute is a referendum law passed by parliament in June and later approved with reservations by the Constitutional Court in July.
The law creates a process through which a new constitution could be adopted through a constituent assembly and a referendum in cases described as a “major dysfunction” of state institutions.
The proposed changes have raised concern among opposition groups because the existing Constitution limits a president to two five-year terms. Article 220 also protects the number and length of presidential terms from being changed through constitutional amendments.
Tshisekedi has not formally declared that he will seek another term beyond the two allowed under the current Constitution. However, in May, he said he would accept another mandate if Congolese voters wanted him to remain in office.
He has also said any constitutional changes should be decided through a referendum.
The president has separately linked the country's security situation to the next presidential election, saying the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo could affect the 2028 vote. He argued that an election could not take place without the involvement of provinces affected by the fighting.
Tshisekedi first won the presidency in 2019 before securing a second term in the December 2023 election.
The Constitutional Court confirmed his victory after he received 13,058,962 votes, representing 73.47% of valid ballots. Official election figures showed that 41.7 million voters were registered, while about 17.8 million ballots were cast.
Supporters of constitutional reform maintain that Congo needs a new system to improve the way its institutions operate. Opposition parties, however, say the process could weaken constitutional protections meant to prevent a president from remaining in power indefinitely.
The issue has also brought together opposition groups that have previously been divided, with the C64 coalition now using the constitutional debate as a rallying point.
The political dispute is unfolding while Congo faces serious security and health challenges.
In the east, fighting involving the AFC/M23 rebellion remains ongoing in the mineral-rich region. At the same time, authorities are dealing with a major Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
By September 14, Congo had recorded 7,258 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,510 deaths, with infections reported in 62 health zones across seven provinces.
Containing the outbreak has been made harder in areas affected by insecurity and displacement, adding another challenge to the government's response.
The constitutional debate is therefore taking place at a time when authorities are also dealing with conflict in eastern Congo and a major public-health emergency.
With the next presidential succession scheduled for 2028, the dispute over possible constitutional changes has emerged as a major test of the country's political system.