Cardinal ambongo prioritises peace over drc constitution reform

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo painted a grim picture of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 66th anniversary of independence. Speaking to the faithful gathered at Notre-Dame du Congo Cathedral, the Archbishop of Kinshasa condemned the ongoing insecurity, armed conflicts, the presence of foreign forces on Congolese soil, the poverty faced by the population, and the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic. In this context, he argued that revising the constitution is not a priority.

“Do we really think that changing the constitution, which is being touted as the solution to all these dark scenarios, do you truly believe that a constitutional change aimed at a third term is the most appropriate response to the tragedies facing the Congolese people? Given the severity of the current situation, we see neither the necessity nor the urgency of constitutional change. The priority for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is peace. That is why the National Episcopal Conference of Congo continues to work and will always strive to create conditions for a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue,” Ambongo stated firmly.

Opposition mobilisation

This stance is echoed by the Lay Coordination Committee, the Cenco, and the Church of Christ in the Congo, which also believe that a constitutional reform is neither necessary nor urgent in the current environment.

Marie-Ange Mushobekwa, a former minister and senior member of the Common Front for the Congo (FCC)—the platform of former President Joseph Kabila—was present at the ceremony. She reiterated her group’s opposition to any amendment of Article 220 of the constitution.

“Article 220 is untouchable, and the constitution clearly states that each elected president is entitled to a single renewable term. After these two terms, one must leave power and hand over to a successor chosen by the Congolese people. That said, all political parties and platforms that make up the FCC will now participate in all demonstrations to prevent any constitutional change. We will be in the streets on July 8 to defend and protect our constitution,” Mushobekwa declared.

“We will be in the streets on July 8”

The sentiment is shared by certain citizen movements. Plamédie Bamata of the Patriotism movement called on Congolese youth to participate in the opposition demonstration scheduled for July 8.

“We are determined to end this third-term project, which has already cost the Congolese people so much blood as they fought for this constitution to exist. We will be in the streets on July 8. We will march to the Palace of the Nation to show our discontent and say no to any plan that would balkanise our country,” Bamata insisted.

After being adopted by both chambers of Parliament, the draft law setting the terms for organising a referendum on constitutional change has been sent to the President of the Republic for promulgation.

The government and the majority present the law as a text intended to legally regulate recourse to a referendum.

The opposition, on the other hand, believes it could pave the way for a revision of the fundamental law.