Democratic Republic of the Congo Faces Political Crisis Amid Constitutional Battle Over 2028 Presidential Vote

Demonstrators took part in a protest in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on June 12, 2026. As President Felix Tshisekedi's current term approaches its conclusion in 2028, a fierce political battle is already reshaping the country's political landscape.

In May, President Felix Tshisekedi stated that while he had not sought a third term, he would accept one if desired by the Congolese people. This statement revived opposition concerns regarding potential constitutional reform that could alter existing term limits. Under the current constitution, the president serves a five-year term, renewable once, with term lengths strictly protected. While the government frames these changes as necessary institutional reform, critics fear the process is designed to extend the president's tenure.

This political friction coincides with an ongoing conflict in eastern DRC against the M23 armed group, which operates within the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) coalition and controls Goma and Bukavu. With opposition mobilization planned for September, the crisis has entered a critical phase.

The legislative process accelerated in June when the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo passed a referendum bill. Following a partial review by the Constitutional Court, President Felix Tshisekedi requested a reconsideration of the legislation in August. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition C64, named after Article 64 of the constitution, has organized nationwide protests for September 15 to resist any mandate extension.

Protests have already erupted in Goma and Bukavu, with civil society leaders warning that any term extensions will not be recognized in eastern territories controlled by M23 and the AFC. Amid growing tensions and uncertainty over the 2028 elections, President Felix Tshisekedi has proposed an inclusive national dialogue to address the nation's future.