In the current Congolese political context, President Félix Tshisekedi’s project to draft a new Constitution has sparked strong reactions within civil society and the opposition. This announcement comes in a context where the country is facing multiple challenges and where the issues of stability and national cohesion remain crucial.
On the one hand, President Tshisekedi justifies his desire to provide the Democratic Republic of Congo with a new Constitution by highlighting the foreign nature of the current one and emphasizing the need to adapt the fundamental text to Congolese realities. However, for some civil society actors, such as Jonas Tshiomblea of the New Congolese Civil Society, this project seems inopportune in a context marked by tensions and internal conflicts.
Indeed, the state of siege declared in certain provinces of the country raises questions about the relevance of launching a process of constitutional reform in a climate of instability and insecurity. Priority should be given to resolving the security and humanitarian crises affecting certain regions of the DRC, rather than undertaking an overhaul of the fundamental law.
Furthermore, on the opposition side, the Lamuka political platform, represented by Martin Fayulu, also expresses its opposition to the presidential project. For Prince Epenge, spokesperson for Lamuka, the current Constitution has played a central role in preserving the unity of the Congolese people. Modifying this fundamental law could therefore be perceived as calling into question the democratic achievements and principles that have guided the political transition in the country.
In short, the question of drafting a new Constitution in the DRC raises heated debates and reveals the deep divergences that exist within the political class and civil society. Faced with the multiple challenges facing the country, it appears essential to prioritize dialogue and the search for consensus to guarantee stability and national unity.