Referendum bill in Democratic Republic of Congo intensifies constitutional standoff

Despite an ongoing Ebola epidemic and persistent insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the political elite is increasingly focused on a possible constitutional overhaul, with the ruling majority now openly pursuing amendments. On June 9, the National Assembly passed a bill to organize referendums — legislation that would be pivotal to any constitutional revision as President Felix Tshisekedi's second and final term expires in 2028. [ . . . ] Opposition leaders argue that the referendum law is designed to bypass entrenched term limits. [ . . . ] Under the Constitution, neither the number nor the length of presidential terms may be amended. However, the new bill allows changes to these provisions in the event of a "major dysfunction" paralyzing state institutions, subject to a referendum.
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