In a statement released late on June 11, 2026, Kabila, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, said the country was “heading towards a cliff” and risked instability or fragmentation unless urgent political reforms were undertaken.
The statement came two days after members of the Congolese Parliament approved by majority a proposal to initiate a referendum on constitutional reform, a process widely seen by critics as potentially paving the way for Tshisekedi to extend his stay in power beyond the constitutional two-term limit.
Kabila described the current governance system as marked by “arrogance,” discrimination, and disregard for fundamental freedoms.
“Our country is governed in an arrogant manner, one that suppresses freedoms, is corrosive, and marked by widespread discrimination against many categories of Congolese. What makes it worse is that it is governed in a way that does not respect established laws,” he said.
He argued that the parliamentary vote reflected a broader shift toward entrenching executive power, warning that the constitutional revision process had moved beyond political speculation into active implementation.
Kabila also warned that the Constitution, as the country’s foundational legal framework, should not be altered for political convenience, saying such a move would amount to a betrayal of national principles.
“A major step has already been taken toward entrenching an authoritarian regime and establishing a system of power whose end is unknown, with no guarantee of democratic political change,” he said.
“Our country is increasingly becoming like a boiling pot of water about to explode because it has been deprived of the oxygen of democracy, which is essential for stability and coexistence,” he added.
Kabila further called on Congolese citizens to take responsibility for defending constitutional order, arguing that external actors cannot be relied upon to resolve internal political challenges.
Citing Article 64 of the Constitution, he said citizens have a duty to resist any attempt to violate the country’s supreme law.
“When the government has taken the decision to amend the Constitution, and given the consequences this may have for the country, I must remind everyone that Article 64(1) of our Constitution states that every Congolese citizen has the responsibility to oppose any individual or group using their power to violate the Constitution. This is not just a right; it is a duty,” he said.
Kabila concluded by urging Congolese citizens to “wake up,” unite, and support all actions aimed at resisting the proposed constitutional changes.
