On September 22, 2026, members and leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo's ruling party, Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), took to the streets of Lubumbashi to show their support for national dialogue initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi. The march, which drew several high-ranking party officials, including interim governor of Haut-Katanga Martin Kazembe and provincial assembly president Michel Kabwe, concluded at the Place de la Poste. There, party members urged Tshisekedi to start the process of changing the constitution and to promulgate a law on referendum.
The demonstration occurred despite restrictive measures put in place by the city hall, citing security concerns and the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country. A week prior, Lubumbashi's mayor had banned a protest by the opposition coalition, C-64. On September 15, authorities prevented demonstrators from gathering. The C-64 coalition in Haut-Katanga reacted to the UDPS protest, denouncing what they termed as discriminatory treatment in Lubumbashi, Kolwezi, Likasi, and Kasumbalesa.
In a statement, the C-64 coordination in Haut-Katanga criticized the partial and discriminatory management of protests, which they claim contravenes the principles of neutrality and impartiality in public action. They pointed to Article 12 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination in the exercise of civil rights. The coalition also cited Article 25, which ensures the freedom of peaceful demonstrations.
Senator Danny Kabongo addressed party members near the Lubumbashi 2 federation headquarters, urging President Tshisekedi to promulgate the referendum law, which could pave the way for a constitutional change. Kabongo warned that if the president does not change the constitution, the people may turn against him. The UDPS protest has brought the issue of constitutional change back to the forefront of public debate.
The topic of constitutional change has divided public opinion for nearly two years. Opponents of the project have formed the C-64 coalition, comprising several parties, including Envol, Ensemble pour la République, A-Ch, ECiDé, and LGD, to defend the current constitutional order. Meanwhile, the ruling party continues with its efforts to push the project forward.
The National Assembly has sent the referendum law back to the PAJ commission to re-examine concerns raised by the Constitutional Court. The adoption of this legal framework could enable the organization of a referendum. The UDPS protest in Lubumbashi demonstrates the ongoing tensions and divisions within the country regarding the proposed constitutional changes.
The situation highlights the challenges facing President Tshisekedi as he navigates the complex landscape of Congolese politics. The UDPS and opposition parties continue to engage in a battle of wills, with the issue of constitutional change remaining a contentious and highly divisive topic. The international community is closely watching the developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Key points
- The UDPS protest in Lubumbashi calls for constitutional change and a referendum law.
- The opposition C-64 coalition criticizes the discriminatory treatment of protests in Lubumbashi and other cities.
- The issue of constitutional change remains a highly divisive topic in Congolese politics.
