Political tension is rising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after President Félix Tshisekedi sparked controversy with comments suggesting he could consider seeking a third term in office if the Congolese people demanded it through a referendum.
The remarks have triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, and political analysts who fear the country may be heading toward another constitutional crisis similar to the turbulent era of former President Joseph Kabila. The debate has quickly become one of the most controversial political topics across Central Africa as concerns grow over democracy, constitutional order, and the future of leadership in the mineral-rich nation.
Speaking during a nationally televised press conference in Kinshasa, Tshisekedi insisted he had not personally requested a third term but said he would be willing to continue in office if citizens supported constitutional reforms through a democratic process.
“I did not ask for a third term, but if the people want me to have a third term, I will accept,” the Congolese leader stated during the lengthy media briefing.
Under the current constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, presidents are limited to two terms in office. Tshisekedi, who first assumed power in 2019 and won re-election in 2023, is expected to complete his final constitutional term in 2028. Any attempt to extend his stay in office would require constitutional amendments approved through a referendum.
The comments immediately intensified fears among opposition politicians who accuse Tshisekedi’s allies of quietly preparing the ground for constitutional changes that could keep him in power beyond 2028. Critics argue that many African nations have experienced political instability after leaders attempted to remove or weaken presidential term limits.
The controversy is especially sensitive in Congo because of the country’s painful political history. Former President Joseph Kabila faced massive protests and international condemnation after delaying elections beyond the expiration of his constitutional mandate in 2016. The political crisis led to deadly demonstrations, heightened instability, and years of tension before power eventually transitioned to Tshisekedi in 2019.
Adding to the controversy, Tshisekedi also hinted that ongoing violence in eastern Congo could potentially affect the country’s ability to organize elections on schedule in 2028. Fighting involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group continues to destabilize parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, creating serious humanitarian and security concerns.
“If we cannot end this war, unfortunately we may not be able to organize elections in 2028,” Tshisekedi reportedly said while discussing the worsening security crisis in eastern Congo.
Those comments have further fueled suspicion among opposition leaders, many of whom fear that insecurity could eventually be used as justification to delay future elections. Several critics described the development as a dangerous signal for democracy in the region, warning that constitutional manipulation and delayed elections have historically triggered unrest in many African countries.
Supporters of the president, however, argue that any constitutional change would still require public approval through a referendum, meaning citizens would ultimately decide the country’s political direction. Some allies of Tshisekedi insist discussions about constitutional reforms are broader than just presidential tenure and may also address governance, decentralization, and institutional reforms.
The renewed debate comes at a delicate moment for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a nation already battling armed conflict, economic hardship, corruption allegations, and regional tensions involving neighboring Rwanda. Political observers warn that prolonged uncertainty over constitutional limits could deepen divisions within the country and affect investor confidence in one of Africa’s most resource-rich economies.
International observers are also closely monitoring developments in Kinshasa as concerns grow over democratic backsliding across parts of Africa. In recent years, several African countries have witnessed constitutional amendments, disputed elections, military coups, or leadership extensions that sparked widespread controversy and protests.
For now, Tshisekedi maintains that any decision regarding constitutional reforms will only happen through legal and democratic processes. But despite those assurances, the growing third-term debate has already opened a new chapter of political uncertainty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with many citizens now questioning whether the country’s fragile democracy could soon face another major test.
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