Congolese police disperse protests against proposed constitutional change

Opposition takes to the streets

Police moved to disperse demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on September 15 as opposition supporters protested against possible changes to the constitution. Marches organised by the C64 opposition coalition were planned in Kinshasa and several provincial cities. Security forces deployed in strength, and Al Jazeera reported a crackdown as demonstrators sought to oppose any revision that could weaken limits on presidential tenure.

The immediate dispute concerns political intent as much as a completed legislative proposal. President Félix Tshisekedi is serving the second and final term permitted under the current constitution. Opposition groups fear that constitutional revision could create a route for him or the governing coalition to extend its hold on power. The government’s parliamentary strength means any formal initiative would be treated as credible even before detailed amendment language emerges.

A history of constitutional confrontation

The protests revive a recurring source of instability in Congolese politics. A European Union civil-society assessment published in April noted that similar constitutional manoeuvres under former president Joseph Kabila triggered deadly unrest in 2015 and 2018. The assessment also described the 2023 general election as marred by irregularities and controversy, despite the Constitutional Court confirming Tshisekedi’s victory and his coalition winning large parliamentary majorities.

The policing of the marches carries an additional human-rights dimension. Congolese constitutional provisions recognise peaceful assembly and demonstration, while past UN reviews have raised concerns about restrictions imposed on opposition events. The fresh reporting establishes police action against the September 15 protests; the older institutional record supplies context but does not independently confirm every detail or allegation arising from the new demonstrations.

What to watch

The next decisive development would be a published amendment, a formal parliamentary timetable or an explicit government commitment to preserve presidential term limits. Verified figures for arrests, injuries and any legal action against organisers will also matter. If opposition parties sustain coordinated protests outside Kinshasa, the dispute could become a national test of political participation rather than a single-day confrontation over an as-yet undefined constitutional project.