Drc opposition escalates constitutional battle with ‘dead city’ claims and legal action

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is witnessing a significant escalation in the constitutional revision dispute, now taking a decisive judicial turn. On June 4, 2026, leaders of the Coalition Article 64 (C64) convened in Kinshasa to present an assertive assessment of their ‘ville morte’ (dead city) operation, which had commenced the previous day. They asserted that numerous major urban centers across the nation had heeded their call, directly refuting official statements that downplayed the mobilization as being confined solely to the capital. This widespread protest was intended as a crucial test of the opposition’s capacity to influence the institutional agenda championed by the presidential majority.

opposition expands front against constitutional reform in the drc

Formed to uphold Article 64 of the Congolese Basic Law, which guarantees citizens the right to resist any seizure of power by force or in violation of the Constitution, the C64 brings together prominent figures who oppose the proposed reform. Among them is opposition leader Delly Sesanga, who publicly applauded the adherence to their call in cities beyond Kinshasa. The coalition has firmly established itself as a principal political vehicle for contesting the constitutional overhaul initiated by the presidential camp.

While the debate surrounding a constitutional revision is not new, it has intensified as members of the majority have increasingly suggested the necessity of adapting the fundamental text. The opposition perceives this as a maneuver designed to pave the way for a third term for Félix Tshisekedi, who was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in late 2023. The current Congolese Constitution explicitly limits presidential terms to two consecutive mandates, a symbolic safeguard inherited from the post-Mobutu transition and frequently invoked as a democratic bulwark.

legal challenge against president tshisekedi marks a qualitative shift

The most striking announcement from the conference was the impending filing of a formal complaint targeting the head of state and those the coalition identifies as his accomplices. The chosen legal qualification, ‘attempted overthrow of the constitutional order,’ is far from trivial. It directly references the most severe penal category associated with assaults on state institutions. By moving the debate into the judicial arena, the C64 aims to transform a political protest into a legal case, potentially mobilizing other key actors such as magistrates, the bar association, and civil society.

Undoubtedly, this initiative carries profound symbolic weight. Few in Kinshasa anticipate a swift resolution to a legal proceeding directed against an incumbent president. Nevertheless, the action firmly establishes a precise narrative within the public sphere: that of a government suspected of preparing an institutional power grab. For Delly Sesanga and his allies, the objective is as much about drawing a clear red line as it is about compelling the majority to clarify its intentions regarding term limits and the actual scope of the proposed revision.

tense political climate ahead of crucial periods in the drc

The DRC is navigating a sensitive political period. The government must contend with a deteriorating security situation in the East, marked by the activities of the M23 group and diplomatic pressures related to the Rwandan dossier. Domestically, the constitutional revision adds another significant fault line between Kinshasa and a fragmented opposition that is striving to regroup around clear and accessible demands. The C64 is banking on this clarity to broaden its appeal.

The actual impact of the ‘ville morte’ operation remains a point of contention. Authorities have, thus far, downplayed its extent, while organizers claim success far beyond the capital. Without consolidated independent data, any evaluation remains open to interpretation. Crucially, the coalition’s ability to sustain pressure over time and to rally other political figures, along with provincial networks, will determine its influence in the power struggle with the Tshisekedi camp.

For regional observers, the Congolese precedent aligns with a broader continental trend of debates concerning term limits, ranging from recent events in Senegal to older examples across West Africa. Each such episode shapes the political discourse of the continent and influences the governance standards expected by international partners. The coalition intends to continue its mobilization while fully embracing the shift of the battle to the judicial sphere, reflecting the dynamic nature of African politics English.