Delly Sesanga Condemns Any Attempt to Amend Constitution for Third Term

Kinshasa, March 21, 2026 - Opposition leader Delly Sesanga issued a strong warning on Saturday against any efforts to amend the Constitution to allow President Félix Tshisekedi a third term. Speaking at a press conference in Kinshasa, Sesanga described such initiatives as a “serious breach of the republican order” and called for citizen mobilization to prevent what he labeled an “act of institutional violence.” “Those who want to change the Constitution are breaking our republican pact and taking to the bush against the Republic. They must be treated and fought as such by all means,” he said. Sesanga emphasized the historical role of the Congolese people in defending freedoms and reiterated that no leader is above the Constitution. “Changing the Constitution, transforming mandates into unlimited terms, and disregarding all the requirements of the rule of law is not part of the Republic. Establishing a personal power structure is a challenge to the republican pact,” he added. He went further, categorizing any move to amend the Constitution for a third term as “high treason” and a red line that cannot be crossed. Drawing parallels with past authoritarian periods, Sesanga denounced such actions as a repetition of the dictatorial excesses experienced under the Second Republic. This statement comes amid ongoing speculation about a possible constitutional revision in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a topic already sparking strong reactions across political and civil society circles.

Faits rapportés

Kinshasa, March 21, 2026 - Opposition leader Delly Sesanga issued a strong warning on Saturday against any efforts to amend the Constitution to allow President Félix Tshisekedi a third term. Speaking at a press conference in Kinshasa, Sesanga described such initiatives as a “serious breach of the republican order” and called for citizen mobilization to prevent what he labeled an “act of institutional violence.” “Those who want to change the Constitution are breaking our republican pact and taking to the bush against the Republic. They must be treated and fought as such by all means,” he said. Sesanga emphasized the historical role of the Congolese people in defending freedoms and reiterated that no leader is above the Constitution. “Changing the Constitution, transforming mandates into unlimited terms, and disregarding all the requirements of the rule of law is not part of the Republic. Establishing a personal power structure is a challenge to the republican pact,” he added. He went further, categorizing any move to amend the Constitution for a third term as “high treason” and a red line that cannot be crossed. Drawing parallels with past authoritarian periods, Sesanga denounced such actions as a repetition of the dictatorial excesses experienced under the Second Republic. This statement comes amid ongoing speculation about a possible constitutional revision in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a topic already sparking strong reactions across political and civil society circles.