Thousands Protest in Eastern Congo Against Proposed Constitutional Changes Allowing Tshisekedi Third Term

Thousands of people took to the streets in the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu on Tuesday to protest against proposed constitutional changes that critics say could pave the way for President Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third term.

The protests unfolded in cities controlled by the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, which seized large parts of North and South Kivu provinces last year. Demonstrators marched peacefully through Goma carrying banners with slogans such as “No to constitutional change” and “No to a referendum and a third term,” according to Reuters witnesses. Similar demonstrations were also held in Bukavu.

Congo’s parliament approved a bill in June allowing constitutional amendments to be submitted to a national referendum, a move critics say could be used to remove presidential term limits and allow Tshisekedi to remain in office beyond his current mandate, which expires in 2028. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who argue that pushing through constitutional amendments is ill-timed given the country’s severe security crisis in the east, ongoing humanitarian emergencies, and economic hardship. Opposition leaders have accused Tshisekedi of laying the groundwork to bypass the constitutional two-term limit.

Tshisekedi himself opened the door to a possible third term in May, stating he was open to seeking another mandate in the 2028 general elections. Previous opposition-led protests in the capital Kinshasa on June 12 were dispersed by security forces, with at least two people killed and approximately 40 injured. The United Nations human rights office condemned the police violence.

The Goma and Bukavu demonstrations were organised by civil society groups in North Kivu province and also condemned what they described as one-sided sanctions imposed by the United Nations this month on AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa and the rebel coalition. Protesters called for the sanctions to be lifted. Willy Manzi, Deputy Governor of North Kivu, said the turnout reflected growing frustration over what residents see as unequal treatment by the international community in addressing the eastern Congo conflict.

Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya accused the rebels of forcing residents to join the demonstrations. An AFC/M23 spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The demonstrations took place under police supervision despite a ban on public gatherings introduced to curb the spread of Ebola. Rebel authorities have declared the territories under their control Ebola-free.

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