Congo politics: tensions flare as opposition march sparks clash between kabuya and mbata
The political landscape in Kinshasa is heating up as two influential figures within President Félix Tshisekedi’s coalition find themselves at loggerheads over an upcoming opposition march. Augustin Kabuya, Secretary-General of the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), and André Mbata, Permanent Secretary of the Sacred Union of the Nation (USN), are locked in a public dispute over how to respond to the July 22 demonstration organized by the Coalition Article 64 (C64).
Opposition march targets constitutional change
The C64 coalition’s demonstration, set to conclude at the Palais de la Nation, demands Félix Tshisekedi’s resignation, accusing him of breaching his constitutional oath. This follows the revelation of his plan to amend the 2006 constitution—a move critics argue could extend his time in office beyond the two-term limit.
Mbata calls for counter-protest
While Kabuya has instructed UDPS members to remain inactive during the opposition’s march, Mbata, currently on an official visit to Yaoundé, has issued a diametrically opposed directive. In a strongly worded statement, the constitutional law professor urged members of the Sacred Union to mobilize for a counter-demonstration in Kinshasa, all 25 provincial capitals, and among the diaspora. His message condemned what he termed an “attempted coup against the nation” by those seeking to deny citizens their sovereign right to vote.
Kabuya’s demobilization directive
Kabuya, who holds both the UDPS leadership and a seat on the USN presidium, fired back with a terse statement calling on UDPS members to ignore the opposition’s planned routes. “There is no march scheduled for this date, and members should avoid the opposition’s itineraries,” he declared, despite his own opposition to the initiative. His directive was met with swift criticism from Mbata, who accused Kabuya of making premature and politically incorrect remarks that undermine the USN’s unity.
The Sacred Union, comprising over 900 political parties, groups, and associations, cannot be reduced to the opinion of a single component. Any statement made by a leader of a party or group within the USN reflects only their personal position.
A history of rivalry
This public spat is not the first time Kabuya and Mbata have clashed. In April 2024, Mbata openly opposed Kabuya’s candidate in the Sankuru gubernatorial election, instead backing Jules Lodi Emongo—who ultimately won. Kabuya retaliated by instructing UDPS members to stop paying dues to Mbata, declaring himself the sole authorized recipient. This episode underscored the deepening divisions within the Sacred Union, a coalition already struggling with leadership disputes and internal rivalries ahead of the 2028 elections and the end of Tshisekedi’s second term.
As the July 22 march approaches, the rift between Kabuya and Mbata threatens to further destabilize the ruling coalition, raising questions about its ability to present a united front amid growing public discontent.