Drc catholic church challenges presidential third term bid
A fresh wave of tension has emerged between the Catholic Church and the government in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week. This follows a resolute stance taken by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) against a proposed constitutional amendment that would pave the way for President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term in office in 2028.
CENCO has called upon President Tshisekedi to uphold the oath he swore “before God and the Nation.” The ecclesiastical body has also reserved its right to announce a schedule of direct actions. It has urged the populace to resist and thwart this endeavor, which, in its view, “risks the balkanization of the country and could lead to civil war.”
warnings of potential civil conflict
The Congolese Constitution explicitly limits presidential mandates to two terms. President Tshisekedi assumed power in January 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for what should be his second and final term. However, in early May, during a press conference, he indicated a willingness to consider a third term, suggesting the possibility of a referendum to amend the Constitution on this matter. Since then, his political allies have actively pursued this objective.
church’s historical opposition to constitutional changes
The Catholic Church, which previously opposed former President Joseph Kabila’s attempts to unlock the Constitution for a third term, has once again voiced its strong concerns. Gravely troubled by the prospect of constitutional revision, CENCO convened an “Extraordinary Plenary Assembly” in Kinshasa from June 18 to 20, 2026.
In their 17-point final declaration, published on CENCO’s official site, the 37 members of the Episcopal Conference—including cardinals, bishops, and priests—asserted that “the Nation was in peril!” The country remains embroiled in conflict despite numerous peace accords. For the past four years, North and South Kivu have been largely controlled by rebels of the Alliance du Fleuve Congo / Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23), who are steadily consolidating their administration over occupied territories.
eastern conflict and ebola resurgence concerns
In Ituri and parts of North Kivu, other armed factions, such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), are perpetrating massacres against thousands of Congolese citizens. Adding to these already severe challenges, the hemorrhagic fever Ebola has re-emerged in the East, raising fears of its potential spread.
“During this period, we observe with considerable apprehension a growing tension stemming from the ruling majority’s campaign to alter the Constitution of February 18, 2006,” the Congolese clergy lamented. They further noted, “Regrettably, this campaign, which mobilizes state resources, unfolds in a climate of terror against dissenting voices even within the majority, who are compelled to silence out of fear of reprisals. Meanwhile, opposition demonstrations are violently suppressed by police, often in collaboration with a political party militia known as ‘Force du progrès’.”
For the Congolese bishops, there is “neither the necessity, nor the urgency, nor the opportune moment” for constitutional amendment. The nation’s true priorities, they affirmed, are “peace, the social well-being of its people, and national unity and cohesion.” This reflects a significant aspect of governance Africa often grapples with.
accusations of subversion against the bishops
In response to this episcopal declaration, the Union sacrée pour la Nation (USN) platform, a coalition of 400 political parties and movements supporting President Tshisekedi, expressed its “indignation” and “most vehemently condemned” the statement from CENCO’s bishops. The USN contended that the declaration “is nothing less than an act of subversion directed against legitimate and democratically established institutions.”
In a communiqué published on their website, the President’s supporters stated: “It is regrettable to observe that these bishops, in their diatribe, employ several remarks that overtly incite popular uprising and the overthrow of constitutional order.” The ongoing dynamics underscore critical elements of African politics and society Africa faces in its democratic journey.
