In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Kalemie, a major political event recently took place. This is the 11th Conference of Provincial Governors, bringing together key players in local administration. The fatshimétrie, as it is now called, has become a place for debate and decision-making that is crucial for the future of the country.
The Congolese political scene was shaken by the announcement of the governors’ unanimous support for the proposed change to the Constitution. A motion was addressed to President Félix Tshisekedi, supporting the need for constitutional reform. The governors clearly highlighted the “weaknesses” of the current Constitution and described the reform process as “legitimate and salutary”. They also called on the Congolese population to support this initiative, stressing its importance for strengthening national unity and stimulating local development.
However, this position was not unanimous. Discordant voices have been raised against the presidential project, denouncing attempts at political manipulation and undermining democracy. Personalities such as Delly Sesanga, Jean-Claude Katende and Martin Fayulu have expressed their rejection of the constitutional revision project, fearing an authoritarian shift in power.
Faced with these criticisms, President Félix Tshisekedi defended his vision during a speech in Lubumbashi, arguing for an adaptation of the Constitution to the contemporary realities of the country. He also denounced the speeches that he described as manipulative, affirming the need for in-depth reflection on the Congolese institutional framework.
In this political effervescence, a central question emerges: the interpretation of Article 217 of the Constitution, on which the debate around the constitutional reform is based. Some political actors argue that any change would constitute a violation of the laws in force, thus fueling the controversy. The LUCHA citizen movement has, for its part, announced protest actions against the President’s project, considering it as a maneuver aimed at perpetuating the power in place beyond the terms limited by the Constitution.
At the heart of this duality of positions is the democratic future of the DRC. The stakes are high, between aspirations for institutional renewal and resistance to any form of authoritarian drift. In this complex political fresco, each actor weighs with all his weight, thus drawing the contours of a nation in search of its democratic destiny.