Joseph Kabila, former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is launching a “call to mobilise the Congolese people” to thwart incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi’s plan to establish a commission of experts tasked with revising the Constitution.
The former president’s Common Front for the Congo (FCC) has called for the “blocking” of the revision through widespread “mobilisation”. The people will “rise up” to “defend their rights, their freedom, and their sovereignty”, according to an FCC press release.
Kabila has dismissed the president’s explanation of the project. Tshisekedi had previously stated that the 2006 Constitution was not written “abroad by foreigners”, as suggested by the head of state, but by “compatriots representing the diversity of the Congolese nation”.
The FCC accused the president of orchestrating a “political machination” to “divert attention” from his failure to ensure “security”. The coalition argues that the proposed revision would pose “a danger to the peace, unity, and stability of the country”.
In 2015, Kabila attempted to amend the same Constitution during his presidency but was forced to abandon the effort under pressure from the Church, citizens, and the opposition.
