Kinshasa: Thousands of people took to the streets in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday to protest against what they see as attempts to allow President Félix Tshisekedi to remain in office beyond the constitutional limit of two terms. Demonstrations were held mainly in the cities of Goma and Bukavu, where opposition supporters, civil society groups and ordinary residents voiced concerns that proposed constitutional changes could weaken the country's democracy at a time when it is already facing serious security challenges.
The protests were sparked by growing debate over plans to revise the country's constitution. While the government says the reforms are meant to improve governance and address weaknesses in the current system, critics believe the changes could open the door for President Tshisekedi to seek a third term after his current mandate ends in 2028. Under the existing constitution, the president is limited to serving two five year terms.
Many demonstrators carried banners and chanted slogans calling on the government to respect the constitution. Protest organizers said the current political discussion is creating uncertainty about the country's democratic future. They warned that any attempt to extend presidential term limits could increase political tensions and lead to further instability in a nation that has struggled with conflict and political crises for decades.
Opposition leaders have strongly rejected the proposed constitutional reforms, describing them as an attempt to change the rules for political gain. They argue that the constitution provides clear limits on presidential terms and should not be altered to benefit any individual leader. Several opposition parties have called for nationwide public resistance if the government continues with the reform process.
The government has denied accusations that the proposed reforms are aimed at extending President Tshisekedi's stay in power. Officials say the constitution contains several weaknesses that should be corrected to improve the functioning of state institutions and strengthen governance. They have also said that no final decision has been made on the exact content of the proposed amendments or on when a constitutional referendum might be held.
Political tensions have been rising across the Democratic Republic of Congo for several months. Earlier demonstrations in the capital Kinshasa were dispersed by security forces after clashes broke out between protesters and police. Human rights organizations have urged the authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and avoid the excessive use of force during public demonstrations.
The latest protests come at a particularly difficult time for the country. Eastern Congo continues to experience violence involving the M23 rebel group and several other armed organizations. Large areas of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces remain affected by insecurity, forcing thousands of families to flee their homes and creating one of Africa's most serious humanitarian crises.
Many political observers believe the ongoing conflict has made the constitutional debate even more sensitive. Critics argue that the government's immediate priority should be restoring peace and security rather than pursuing political reforms. They say the country needs unity to deal with armed groups, improve humanitarian conditions and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.
Regional organizations and international partners are also closely following developments in Congo. The African Union has previously encouraged dialogue between the government and opposition groups to reduce political tensions. Diplomatic efforts have focused on preventing further unrest while encouraging all parties to resolve their differences through peaceful and constitutional means.
Across Africa, constitutional changes involving presidential term limits have often sparked political disputes and public protests. Analysts say developments in Congo are being watched carefully because they could influence both the country's political future and stability in the wider Great Lakes region.
For now, the government has not announced a timetable for a referendum or presented final constitutional amendments. However, opposition leaders have indicated they will continue organizing peaceful demonstrations if they believe the reform process threatens constitutional term limits.
The demonstrations in Goma and Bukavu show that concerns over the future of Congo's democracy remain strong. As the debate over constitutional reform continues, the government faces increasing pressure to reassure citizens that any changes will strengthen democratic institutions rather than weaken them. With security challenges already stretching state resources, the coming months are expected to be critical in determining whether political dialogue can ease tensions or whether the dispute will lead to deeper divisions across the country.