DRC President Tshisekedi hints at third term

Felix Tshisekedi, who leads the Democratic Republic of Congo, says he would accept a third term in office. The president added that ongoing combat in the eastern part of the country might prevent the 2028 presidential election from happening as scheduled.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Tshisekedi said, “I have not asked for a third term, but if the people want a third term, I will accept.” He was answering a question about suggestions from political allies to change the constitution.

Congo’s current constitution only allows a president to serve two terms. Tshisekedi said any change to that limit would need to be approved by voters in a referendum.

The president won his second term in December 2023. He first talked about revising the constitution in late 2024, arguing that foreign legal experts wrote most of the current version and that it needs updating.

In recent weeks, more voices have joined the call for constitutional change. Andre Mbata, the permanent secretary of the Sacred Union coalition, asked political parties, civil society groups, religious organisations, labour unions and legal experts to send in their ideas last month. Mbata said a technical team would be formed after May 20 to review the submissions and then report back to the president.

All of this is happening while M23 rebels control large parts of eastern Congo. Rwanda denies accusations from the UN and Western countries that it backs the rebel group. Fighting has continued even as the US and others try to mediate.

“If this war cannot be ended, unfortunately, we will not be able to organise elections in 2028,” Tshisekedi said. “You cannot hold elections when parts of the country are occupied.”

SOURCE: Reuters