Opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo have called on President Felix Tshisekedi to resign and hold a massive protest against proposed constitutional changes that could allow him to run for a third term.

The opposition group, known as C64, made the call during a press conference in Kinshasa, vowing not to back down and urging citizens to organize a ‘massive mobilization’ on July 22 to demand Tshisekedi’s resignation.

‘This march will say no to the unconstitutional coup. No to the theft of popular sovereignty. No to the endless war and bad governance. It will say yes to constitutional respect, peace, justice, and democratic transfer of power. And it will demand Felix Tshisekedi’s resignation, because he has betrayed his constitutional oath,’ said Jean-Marc Kabund, opposition leader.

Two years ahead of the next elections, tensions are already high between the government and its opponents since the parliament, dominated by the ruling party, approved a proposal to extend the president’s term.

‘It cannot be a question of suspending citizen actions or engaging in dialogue until Felix Tshisekedi publicly renounces his constitutional modification project, which divides the nation and threatens the country with fragmentation,’ added Kabund.

Tshisekedi, 63, has been in power since 2019 and his second and final five-year term is set to end in 2028. He has not yet decided whether to promulgate the proposed law.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst