On September 22, 2026, thousands of supporters of President Felix Tshisekedi, led by his party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), marched through the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rally was held in support of the government's proposed constitutional reform, which could potentially allow Tshisekedi to run for a third term. The marchers, mostly dressed in white, gathered at the UDPS headquarters before proceeding to the Martyrs' Stadium.
The rally was a show of force by the government, with participants chanting slogans and singing songs in support of Tshisekedi. Augustin Kabuya, the UDPS secretary-general, addressed the crowd, saying, "The time has come to change this Constitution." The march was largely peaceful, with a significant security presence. The government had called for similar rallies in several cities across the country to defend its record and support the constitutional reform process.
The proposed constitutional reform has been met with opposition from critics, who argue that it is a ploy to allow Tshisekedi to run for a third term. The current Constitution prohibits the president from serving more than two terms. The opposition has denounced the government's move, citing concerns about the potential impact on the country's democracy.
The rally in Kinshasa also highlighted the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, where the government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group. Tshisekedi's government has been working to address the crisis, and some marchers expressed their support for the president's efforts to resolve the conflict. One participant, Beni, said, "I am here to say no to Rwandan aggression and to support the president's vision for ending the conflict."
The march was notable for its festive atmosphere, with participants chanting and singing songs in support of Tshisekedi. The event was also seen as a display of strength by the government, which has been facing opposition from critics and rival parties. The UDPS and other parties in the ruling coalition have been mobilizing support for the constitutional reform, which they say is necessary to address the country's development needs.
The opposition has been critical of the government's handling of the constitutional reform process, arguing that it is being rushed through without adequate consultation with stakeholders. The opposition has also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the reform on the country's democratic institutions. The government has maintained that the reform is necessary to address the country's development challenges and to ensure the president's continued leadership.
The rally in Kinshasa was the latest in a series of events marking a significant escalation in the debate over the constitutional reform. The government has vowed to push ahead with the reform, despite opposition from critics. The outcome of the reform process remains uncertain, with many stakeholders watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
Key points
- The proposed constitutional reform could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third term.
- The government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group in the eastern DRC.
- The opposition has denounced the government's move, citing concerns about the potential impact on the country's democracy.
