In recent political developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a fundamental question is on everyone’s lips: should the current Constitution be revised or not? This question, raised by government spokesman Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, has sparked strong reactions and highlighted the fault lines within the Congolese political class.
On the one hand, the government, through Patrick Muyaya Katembwe’s official speech, defends the need for a constitutional revision to meet the aspirations of the Congolese people. For him, the figure of President Félix Tshisekedi embodies the guarantor of the proper functioning of institutions, and any constitutional revision should not be seen as an attack on democracy, but as an opportunity to modernize the country’s fundamental laws.
However, on the side of political opponents, of whom Delly Sesanga is an emblematic figure, the very idea of a constitutional revision arouses reservations and criticism. For them, any attempt to amend the Constitution is seen as a political maneuver aimed at consolidating the power in place, to the detriment of respect for democratic principles.
At the heart of this debate is the thorny issue of dual nationality, which crystallizes tensions and differences of opinion. While the Head of State calls for a rethink of the contours of Congolese citizenship, taking into account the current realities of the country, his detractors warn against the potential abuses and risks of political manipulation that this could engender.
In a context where the political and social stability of the DRC remains fragile, it is essential to conduct this constitutional debate with wisdom and responsibility. The establishment of a commission to consider a possible constitutional reform is an opportunity to seize to bring together the different political sensibilities and listen to discordant voices.
Ultimately, the question of constitutional revision in the DRC is not limited to a simple legal exercise, but refers to deep issues of governance, representativeness and democratic legitimacy. The challenge for Congolese political actors is to transcend their partisan differences to work together to build a more inclusive political system that respects the aspirations of the entire population.
José Mukendi