Congo’s bishops oppose revising the 2006 constitution, warning that such a move risks destabilizing democracy amid deep political and security tensions.
Newsroom (27/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Catholic Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo have reiterated their firm opposition to any attempt to revise the country’s 2006 constitution, warning that such a move would imperil national cohesion and democratic stability.
“The position of the Congolese Bishops’ Conference has not changed,” declared Father Donatien Nshole, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), at a press briefing following the body’s extraordinary plenary assembly held in Kinshasa from March 23 to 25. “The principle of constitutional amendment is enshrined in the constitution itself, which also establishes the procedures for its revision. The constitution lists the articles that cannot be amended. Given the current security situation, it would be risky for the bishops to open the chapter on constitutional amendment in a context that lacks consensus,” he explained.
In their final communiqué, the bishops called for a “social pact for peace and peaceful coexistence” in the face of intensifying political polarization. They warned that reopening the debate on the constitution, at a time when the nation is grappling with insecurity and social unrest, could deepen divisions rather than foster reform.
A Deepening Political Divide
The question of constitutional reform has sharpened political fault lines. On one side, President Félix Tshisekedi’s camp argues that the 2006 charter no longer reflects the realities of Congolese governance and needs modernization to improve state efficiency. On the other, opposition parties and civil society organizations accuse the ruling majority of plotting to dismantle fundamental safeguards, particularly the presidential term limits that bar Tshisekedi from running again beyond 2028.
Critics view the reform push as a prelude to an authoritarian drift reminiscent of the political crises that have haunted the DRC for decades. For them, the 2006 constitution symbolizes a hard-won transition from war and dictatorship toward multiparty democracy, a compromise achieved after devastating civil conflicts.
Article 220: The Untouchable Clause
At the heart of the bishops’ concern lies Article 220 — a cornerstone of the Congolese constitutional order. This provision forbids any amendments that would alter essential democratic principles, including the republican form of government, universal suffrage, the representative system, presidential term limits, judicial independence, and political pluralism. It also prohibits any revision that might erode individual rights, freedoms, or the autonomy of provinces and decentralized entities.
Legal experts and church leaders argue that any attempt to revise such “protected clauses” would amount to a constitutional rupture, potentially igniting political crisis and civil unrest. The bishops recall that a similar effort in 2015, under former President Joseph Kabila, sparked widespread protests and international condemnation.
The Church as Guardian of Democracy
Given the Catholic Church’s moral authority and social reach—representing nearly half of Congo’s population—CENCO’s voice remains a decisive force in the nation’s political life. Its warning reflects deep apprehension that political expediency might once again endanger fragile democratic gains.
As tensions persist, the bishops have called on Congolese leaders to prioritize dialogue, national unity, and the rule of law. “Peace and democratic coexistence,” they affirmed, “cannot be built on the foundation of suspicion or manipulation of constitutional principles.”
For many Congolese, that message resonates as both a moral appeal and a political caution: the nation’s stability depends not on rewriting its laws, but on upholding the promises already enshrined in them.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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