President Félix Tshisekedi signed a law setting rules for constitutional referendums in the Democratic Republic of Congo, increasing fears that a referendum could make it possible for him to seek a third term, although none has been announced.
The law was signed on November 9 and announced on state television the next day. It allows a referendum to consider a new constitution or changes to the current one. It also explains how a referendum could be started, including by the president, the government, lawmakers or a petition supported by 100,000 citizens.
Tshisekedi has governed since 2019 and, under the current constitution, is due to leave office at the end of his second five-year term in 2028. Critics fear a new constitution could remove the two-term limit. The current constitution protects that limit from changes through ordinary amendments.
The law itself does not give Tshisekedi another term. He has said he did not seek a third term but would accept one if the Congolese people wanted it. Opposition groups have protested the constitutional initiative.
Supporters argue that referendums let citizens decide matters for themselves. The law establishes a process for a possible referendum. No date for a referendum has been announced.
No proposal to replace the constitution has been announced.