Congolese bishops stand firm against constitutional changes in the RDC

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has issued a resolute rejection of President Félix Tshisekedi’s proposed constitutional overhaul. The Catholic leadership in the République démocratique du Congo warns that such changes could trigger severe institutional instability and undermine the nation’s hard-won democratic progress. This declaration intensifies a debate that has dominated political circles in Kinshasa for several months.

The Catholic Church leads the charge against reform

The Congolese episcopate describes any modification of the fundamental law as ill-timed in the current climate. CENCO, a historically influential voice in the RDC, maintains that the 2006 Constitution remains the legitimate framework, born from a difficult national consensus after years of transition. The prelates fear that rewriting the text could eventually lead to a manipulation of electoral rules to benefit the current administration.

President Félix Tshisekedi suggested in late 2024 that the country needs a new Constitution better suited to Congolese realities. He argued that the existing document was drafted under foreign influence and acts as a barrier to national growth, proposing a commission to begin deliberations in 2025. This prospect has sparked deep anxiety within the Church, as well as among opposition figures and civil society groups.

A legacy of defending democratic limits

This opposition follows a consistent pattern for the bishops. Back in 2015, during Joseph Kabila’s tenure, CENCO campaigned against attempts to alter presidential term limits. They also mediated the New Year’s Eve Agreement in December 2016, a move that prevented a major national crisis. This history gives their current stance significant political weight.

The bishops emphasize that the Congolese Constitution contains locked or intangible provisions, including the duration and number of presidential terms. Altering these safeguards would, in their view, open a Pandora’s box of institutional chaos. While the presidency insists the goal is to rethink the state’s architecture rather than extend mandates, the Catholic hierarchy remains unconvinced, calling instead for the strict application of existing laws.

This debate extends beyond legalities into the symbolic realm. With over 40% of the population identifying as Catholic, the Church’s message carries immense weight. Parishes have already begun sharing the bishops’ message during Sunday sermons, indicating a grassroots mobilization that reaches far beyond the Church’s leadership.

A crucial test for Félix Tshisekedi’s leadership

Having secured a second term in December 2023 with a solid majority in the National Assembly, Félix Tshisekedi technically has the means to initiate a revision. However, CENCO’s resistance complicates the situation. The President must navigate the opposition of an institution with enduring moral authority, whose actions are closely monitored by international partners in Washington, Paris, and Bruxelles.

This political friction occurs while the country faces a volatile security situation in the East, where the national army is battling M23 rebels in North Kivu and South Kivu. Some observers worry that a constitutional battle could distract from urgent military and humanitarian needs. Others suggest the move is intended to strengthen the executive branch against external pressures and regional instability.

The coming months will reveal whether the government proceeds with its timeline or chooses to delay. The Parliament, the Union Sacrée coalition, and civil society must soon take a stand. The episcopate has made it clear they will not be mere observers. This standoff between Kinshasa and the bishops could fundamentally reshape the political landscape of the RDC for years to come. This declaration marks a significant departure from the diplomatic caution previously observed by the Church.