{{The Congolese opposition has denounced the constitutional reform plans being proposed by the ruling party majority.}}
According to the opposition, this modification, including a change in the voting system ,would allow president Joseph Kabila to run for a third term.
The Congolese opposition claim President Kabila is planning to implement a ” constitutional coup ”
On March 28th, the opposition and civil society mobilised protests against the constitutional reform. The protests are aimed at announce to President Kabila to stay away from the next presidential elections.
According to the current constitution, the head of state is not allowed to seek another term in office and President Kabila has so far served his two terms and this technically means he is not eligible to contest in the next elections unless he abrogates the constitution.
A fortnight ago, Congolese ruling party (constituting of majority seats in parliament) was said it was considering “seriously” a referendum to amend Article 197 of the Congolese Constitution.
If this amendment is accepted. The president would be elected through the national assembly and not the entire voters in the country. The amendment would also increase the presidential term from 5 to seven years.
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