Democratic Republic of the Congo: what does the referendum law entail?

Lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have overwhelmingly approved a bill governing the organization of a national referendum. Opposition voices argue this marks the initial phase of a process that could ultimately lead to constitutional amendments and, potentially, allow President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term. But what exactly does the new legislation stipulate? How might it pave the way for constitutional revisions? And what are the upcoming milestones that could trigger such changes?

These questions are at the heart of the current political debate in Kinshasa, where constitutional experts and legal analysts are dissecting the implications of the newly adopted law.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst