Congo constitution reform: APEC Lubumbashi backs tailored charter for national challenges

The Action des Patriotes pour l’Émergence du Congo (APEC), led by interim president Dominique Unyon Pewu, staged a massive rally in Lubumbashi to champion a constitutional reform tailored to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s pressing realities.

Mobilization in Lubumbashi sends strong political signal

At the packed Gécamines stadium, APEC’s gathering drew unprecedented crowds, with party colors flooding the venue. The event underscored the party’s growing influence in the copper capital and its alignment with national governance reforms.

Speaking to the assembly, interim leader Dominique Unyon Pewu framed constitutional change as a democratic imperative, rooted in Article 5 of the current charter. He emphasized that national sovereignty rests with the Congolese people, who alone can decide on constitutional adjustments.

“The question dominating Congo today is constitutional reform. Can we discuss it without APEC? Our moral authority, His Excellency Louis Watum Kabamba, stands behind this reform because it reflects the people’s will. If Congolese citizens agree, no one can stop this process.”

Constitutional reform as a response to governance and security crises

APEC leaders argued that the current constitutional framework no longer aligns with the country’s evolving political, economic, and security landscape. They warned that rigid legal structures risk undermining the state’s ability to address critical challenges.

The party’s stance highlights broader debates across Congo on balancing stability with institutional modernization. APEC’s rally in Lubumbashi signals its ambition to shape this national conversation as a key player within the Sacred Union coalition.

APEC positions itself as a driving force for institutional renewal

The gathering doubled as a recruitment drive, with new members joining under the party’s banner. This surge in support, combined with a bold constitutional agenda, positions APEC as both a political force and an intellectual contributor to Congo’s future governance model.