Constitutional Referendum Dispute Widens As Opposition Plans National March

Kinshasa, August 15, 2026 - The Coalition Article 64, bringing together opposition figures including Martin Fayulu, Jean-Marc Kabund, Moise Katumbi, Augustin Matata and Delly Sesanga, announced a nationwide peaceful march for September 15 against any move to change the Constitution.

In Kinshasa, planned rallying points are expected to converge on the Palais du Peuple, the seat of Parliament, on the day lawmakers return for the parliamentary session. The coalition said the referral of the referendum law back to Parliament for further deliberation after Constitutional Court reservations did not amount to a withdrawal of the measure or a formal renunciation of constitutional change.

The dispute follows an August 10 appeal by 64 civil society organizations urging President Felix Tshisekedi not to promulgate the law setting conditions for organizing a referendum. The groups noted that the Constitutional Court had found the law constitutional on July 28 while issuing 13 interpretive reservations on its 44 articles.

Civil society signatories, including LUCHA-RDC, Filimbi and other civic movements, argued that national priorities should instead be restoring peace and sovereignty, protecting civilians, addressing humanitarian and health crises, returning displaced people and preparing the next elections.

The opposition coalition says it will resist any attempt to circumvent constitutional limits on presidential mandates and mandate duration. The confrontation raises political-risk concerns at a time when the DRC is also managing war in the east, humanitarian strain and pressure on public finances.