On Tuesday, July 29th 2026, the constitutional court of the Democratic Republic of Congo approved a controversial referendum law. Some residents of Kinshasa, the capital, have expressed support for the law despite opposition criticism.

Kinshasa resident Martine Kabangu stated she supports the law “given the current political situation and the circumstances in which our country now finds itself,” noting the need to "shake up and readjust" the country’s affairs. Another resident, Bosco Kimbi, said, "We need to have another Constitution that will protect the country, protect the people, and allow us to move forward,” adding that Congolese people agree with the referendum law.

The ruling comes as the country faces significant security challenges, including renewed fighting with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the east and a growing Ebola outbreak. The current constitution limits the president to two terms and cannot be amended. Opposition parties, weakened after President Félix Tshisekedi's landslide re-election in 2023, have united against any attempt to change the constitution, denouncing the ruling as a move to allow Tshisekedi a third term.

The judiciary and legislature are widely seen as lacking independence, raising doubts about their ability to genuinely oppose those in power during the process.

Sources