Catholic Church and Tshisekedi government clash over DRC constitutional revision

Tensions between the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration escalated this week after the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) issued a strong statement against plans to amend the constitution to allow a third presidential term in 2028.

CENCO urged Tshisekedi to uphold the oath he swore “before God and the Nation” and reserved the right to announce a schedule of actions on the ground. It called on the population to resist the constitutional change, warning that it “risks balkanising the country and leading it to civil war.”

Risk of civil war

The Congolese constitution limits presidents to two terms. Tshisekedi has been in power since January 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for what should be his final term. However, in early May 2026, during a press conference, he indicated he might seek a third term, suggesting a referendum could change the constitution. His political allies have since pushed for this.

Church previously opposed constitutional change

The Catholic Church, which had earlier resisted former President Joseph Kabila’s attempt to alter the constitution for a third term, has again made its voice heard. Concerned by the prospect of revision, CENCO convened an “Extraordinary Plenary Assembly” in Kinshasa from 18 to 20 June 2026.

In its 17-point final declaration, the 37 members of the episcopal conference (including cardinals, bishops and priests) declared that “the Nation is in danger!” The country remains at war despite numerous peace accords. For four years, the North and South Kivu provinces have been controlled by the AFC/M23 rebels, who are increasingly consolidating their administration over occupied territories.

Bloody war in the east and risk of Ebola spread

In Ituri and parts of North Kivu, other armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), are “massacring thousands” of Congolese. Added to these grave situations is the outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the east, with the risk of further spread.

“Meanwhile, we observe with great concern a growing tension arising from the campaign by the ruling majority to change the Constitution of 18 February 2006,” lamented the Congolese clergy. “Unfortunately, this campaign, which uses state resources, takes place in a climate of terror against dissenting voices even within the Majority, who are forced to remain silent for fear of reprisals. As for opposition protests, they are violently repressed by the police in collaboration with a political party militia called ‘Force du progrès’.”

For the Congolese bishops, there is “neither necessity, nor urgency, nor opportunity to change the Constitution.” The country’s priority, they said, “is peace, the social well-being of the people, unity and national cohesion.”

Bishops accused of subversion

In response to the episcopal declaration, the Union Sacrée pour la Nation (USN) platform – a coalition of 400 parties and political movements supporting President Tshisekedi – expressed “indignation” and “strongly condemned” the CENCO statement. It described the bishops’ declaration as “nothing other than an act of subversion directed against legitimate and democratically established institutions.”

In a communiqué posted on their site, the president’s supporters stated: “It is regrettable to note that the bishops use in their diatribe many statements that clearly incite popular uprising and the overthrow of the constitutional order.”