The news in the Democratic Republic of Congo is once again in the news, this time with the statement by the Secretary General of the UDPS, Augustin Kabuya, on the need to revise the Constitution. During a popular rally in Kinshasa, he highlighted several points justifying his call to revise the country’s fundamental law.
According to Augustin Kabuya, the five-year presidential term would not be fully respected, due to the periods of negotiations for the formation of the government which would effectively reduce this term to only three years. This observation highlights a gap in the current Constitution, which would therefore merit a reassessment.
Another aspect raised by the Secretary General of the UDPS is the origin of the Constitution itself, which he claims was drawn up by foreigners. This criticism raises questions about the legitimacy and legality of the constitutional provisions in force, thus establishing a crucial debate on national sovereignty.
Augustin Kabuya’s suggestion for a constitutional revision did not go unnoticed and sparked diverse reactions within the Congolese political class. Among the guests interviewed for their views on this statement were personalities with enlightened opinions, such as Jean-Michel Kalonji, member of the Union sacrée de la nation and coordinator of the Base pour le développement du Congo (BDC), as well as Christian Mwando, elected national deputy of Moba and executive of the political party ‘Ensemble pour la république’.
These different political actors bring a variety of expertise to this crucial debate on the institutional future of the country. At the same time, Trésor Kibangula, director of the political pillar in Ebuteli, sheds additional light on these political, governmental and social issues, emphasizing the importance of research in understanding Congolese political systems.
In conclusion, Augustin Kabuya’s statement on the need for a constitutional revision in the Democratic Republic of Congo opens the way to an essential debate on the country’s institutional structures. This questioning of fundamental laws must be addressed seriously and rigorously, while respecting democratic principles and national sovereignty. The diversity of opinions expressed by the various political actors and experts illustrates the complexity of the issues surrounding the governance of the DRC.