The Democratic Republic of the Congo has entered a critical phase as President Félix Tshisekedi returns a constitutional referendum bill to Parliament for a second reading. This move comes after the Constitutional Court validated the bill with certain reservations, just days before the ultimatum set by the Article 64 coalition expires on August 15.

The C64 coalition, joined by over sixty civil society organizations, has demanded President Tshisekedi abandon his constitutional reform plans by August 15 and reject the referendum bill outright. They are also calling for an inclusive national dialogue. However, with the deadline looming, no date has been set for these negotiations.

Tshisekedi’s tactical retreat under mounting pressure

While many assumed the referendum law had already taken effect due to missed deadlines, President Tshisekedi’s decision to return the bill to Parliament suggests a strategic retreat. The text will undergo further deliberation in light of the Constitutional Court’s observations.

According to political analyst Bob Kabamba, professor at the University of Liège in Belgium, this move represents a setback for Tshisekedi. Yet, it does not signal an end to his ambitions for extending his time in power beyond 2028, when his second term is set to conclude.

“It would be naive to ignore the intense pressure from both domestic opposition and regional actors,” Kabamba explains. “These combined forces, along with behind-the-scenes consultations, have pushed Tshisekedi to backtrack—particularly by requesting a second parliamentary review of the bill. This is a clear retreat, though one that won’t stop him from exploring alternative paths to stay in power past 2028.”

C64 vows intensified actions after August 15 deadline

The C64 coalition has welcomed Tshisekedi’s decision to send the bill back to Parliament. However, they remain steadfast in their demands. With the ultimatum set to expire at midnight on August 15, the coalition is preparing a series of decisive actions—though details remain undisclosed.

“When the clock strikes midnight on August 15, we will confirm that nothing has been done,” declares Franklin Tshiamala, Secretary-General of Leadership for Governance and Development (LGD) and a close associate of former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo. “We will announce a set of surgical operations through our C64 laboratory to make this regime understand that it has stripped us of our freedom and is now attempting to seize our national sovereignty.”

The political tug-of-war intensifies

From the government’s perspective, the referendum process remains a legitimate political and institutional initiative. Meanwhile, the C64 coalition’s ultimatum is dismissed as an attempt to dictate the president’s agenda.

Adolphe Amisi Makutano, a senior member of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS)—the party of President Tshisekedi—downplays the significance of the ultimatum. “The C64’s ultimatum is theirs alone, perhaps aimed at appeasing their supporters. But the Republic continues to function normally,” he states.

The coming days will likely define a new chapter in Congo’s political landscape. With both sides refusing to yield, the stage is set for a prolonged confrontation.