Fatshimetrie – Echoes of a Will for Constitutional Change
The Democratic Republic of Congo, often plagued by complex political issues, is today at the heart of a heated debate over the need for a new Constitution. President Félix Tshisekedi recently announced his intention to create a commission to study this issue, sparking keen interest and mixed reactions among the population.
During his speech in Kisangani, the Head of State highlighted the current “weaknesses” of the current Constitution, stating that it did not correspond to the realities of the country and that it favored selfish interests to the detriment of the common good. Delays in the formation of the government and provincial assemblies were also singled out as symptoms of a failing institutional system.
This debate on a possible constitutional revision is not new in the DRC. As early as the beginning of October, the secretary general of the UDPS, the president’s party, had mentioned the recommendations of the late Etienne Tshisekedi in favor of such a reform. However, this initiative is far from unanimous and some opposition actors see it as a maneuver aimed at consolidating the power in place.
However, Félix Tshisekedi insists on the fact that any modification of the duration of the presidential mandate is not in his own interest, but in accordance with the will of the Congolese people. He thus emphasizes the democratic and participatory dimension of this approach, aimed at better meeting the expectations and needs of citizens.
The 2006 Constitution, the result of long political negotiations, represents the third fundamental text adopted by the DRC. Last revised in 2011, it embodies both the hopes and frustrations of a country in search of stability and progress.
In this period of political and social upheaval, the issue of constitutional revision in the Democratic Republic of Congo raises crucial issues and highlights the challenges facing the country. The ongoing debates demonstrate the democratic vitality and diversity of opinions within Congolese society, ready to mobilize to shape its future with determination and lucidity.