In a dramatic press conference on May 6, 2026, President Félix Tshisekedi announced he is willing to bypass the two-term limit if the "people demand it," linking the proposal to the ongoing war in the country's east.
KINSHASA, DRC – The political landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was shaken yesterday as President Félix Tshisekedi signaled a dramatic shift in his stance on term limits. Despite the constitution capping presidential mandates at two, Tshisekedi told reporters in Kinshasa that he is open to seeking a third term in 2028 .
Speaking at his second press conference since being re-elected in 2023, the President addressed rumors of constitutional manipulation head-on. While stating, "I have not asked for a third term," he quickly added, "if the people want me to have a third term, I will accept" .
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This announcement comes paired with another political bombshell: the potential postponement of the 2028 elections due to the ongoing security crisis.
A Referendum to Change the Rules
Currently, the DRC constitution strictly limits a president to two terms. Tshisekedi, who was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, is technically serving his final term .
However, the President argues that national "urgency" could override the current text. He stated that any extension of his tenure would not be a unilateral power grab but would be subject to a national referendum where the Congolese people would vote on whether to change the constitution .
"I am not the one who decides; it is the people who decide through a referendum," Tshisekedi argued, attempting to frame the potential power move as a democratic exercise .
The "War Excuse": Security Threatens Democracy
The most immediate trigger for this political debate is the violent conflict in North and South Kivu. The M23 rebel group, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, currently controls large swaths of the eastern region, including the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu .
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Tshisekedi warned that organizing a national election is impossible while two major provinces are under "occupation."
"If this war cannot be ended, unfortunately we will not be able to organize the elections in 2028," the President stated. "You cannot hold elections when parts of the country are occupied" .
Critics, however, see this as a convenient excuse to cling to power, drawing parallels to former President Joseph Kabila, who delayed elections in 2016, triggering deadly protests .
Opposition Erupts: "A Constitutional Coup"
The reaction from the opposition was swift and fierce. Political rivals and civil society groups accused Tshisekedi—the son of veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi—of betraying the democratic fight his family once championed.
Former presidential candidate Delly Sesanga warned against a "slide" into institutional tensions, while the Lamuka opposition coalition labeled the move a bid to establish a "two-tier democracy" .
Political analyst Jean-Claude Mputu expressed deep disappointment, stating that even a referendum cannot justify breaking the "national consensus" of two terms. "The president must know that he committed himself before the nation for two mandates, nothing more," Mputu told DW .
“This is not a revision; Tshisekedi wants to tear up the Constitution,” said Prince Epenge, a spokesperson for the LAMUKA coalition. “It amounts to a constitutional coup” .
Historical Context: A Region of "Third-Term" Blues
Tshisekedi’s suggestion taps into a sensitive vein in Central and West Africa, where leaders have often altered constitutions to extend their rule.
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Having previously positioned himself as a democratic bulwark against the Kabila dynasty, Tshisekedi is now facing accusations of hypocrisy. His allies have already submitted a bill to parliament in March to organize a referendum, which they claim is about strengthening democracy, but critics see as the first step toward a third term .
What Happens Next?
The political coming months will be crucial. A technical commission is set to examine proposals for constitutional revision after May 20 . Meanwhile, the opposition is planning major demonstrations to fight against what they call "glissements" (political drifts).
As the M23 conflict shows no signs of abating, President Tshisekedi has effectively linked the restoration of peace to the suspension of electoral deadlines—a scenario that threatens to keep the DRC in prolonged political uncertainty.
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