APEC in Lubumbashi advocates for drc constitutional reform to meet national realities

In a significant political gathering in Lubumbashi, the Action of Patriots for the Emergence of Congo (APEC) made a powerful statement. The political party, led by its moral authority Louis Watum Kabamba and spearheaded by interim president Dominique Unyon Pewu, convened at a packed Gécamines stadium, witnessing a surge in new memberships. At this event, APEC firmly articulated its doctrinal position on the pressing national debate: constitutional revision, which it considers vital for tackling the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) security and governance challenges.

The political morning in Lubumbashi unfolded in an electrifying atmosphere, marked by the national anthem and a vibrant sea of militants adorned in the party’s colors. For APEC’s leadership, this robust popular mobilization underscored the party’s deep roots in the copper capital and the widespread public support for Louis Watum Kabamba’s vision.

This pivotal political and civic assembly was overseen by a high-level delegation from Kinshasa, headed by the national interim president, the honorable Dominique Unyon Pewu.

Beyond the celebratory aspect of new memberships, party officials utilized this platform in the DRC’s second-largest city to deliver a stringent assessment of the nation’s current institutional framework. APEC contends that the political, economic, and particularly the security realities facing the DRC necessitate a frank discussion and removal of existing taboos.

Speakers at the event emphasized that no foundational text can remain static in the face of societal evolution. Engaging in constitutional reform, they argued, does not undermine democracy but rather represents a natural and necessary exercise in the life of any nation.

Addressing the assembled crowd, APEC’s interim president, Dominique Unyon Pewu, unequivocally aligned his party, a member of Félix Tshisekedi’s Union Sacrée, with the movement for constitutional change. He grounded this stance in the principle of national sovereignty:

« You are aware of the pressing issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the question of constitutional change. Can we truly discuss constitutional change in the DRC without APEC’s involvement? We rely on Article 5 of the Constitution, which grants the Congolese people the sovereignty to deliberate and decide on constitutional amendments. If the people agree, who can stand in our way? This is why APEC, under the guidance of its moral authority, His Excellency Louis Watum Kabamba, rises to support the project of constitutional change, » he asserted.

By successfully demonstrating such significant mobilization in a full stadium, Louis Watum Kabamba’s party not only showcased its considerable influence in Grand Katanga but also solidified its position as a key player in the national intellectual and political discourse. APEC thus affirms its commitment to contributing to the modernization of the state, aiming to build more effective institutions that truly reflect the aspirations of the Congolese people.