DRC: Catholic church challenges president’s third-term ambition

A fresh clash has emerged between the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the government this week. The trigger: a strong statement from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) opposing a constitutional revision plan that would allow President Félix Tshisekedi to run for a third term in 2028.

CENCO has urged Tshisekedi to uphold the oath he swore ‘before God and the Nation.’ The bishops reserve the right to announce a timetable for field actions. They call on the population to resist and thwart this attempt, which they warn ‘risks balkanising the country and leading to civil war.’

Civil war risk

The Congolese constitution limits presidents to two terms. Tshisekedi has been in power since January 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for what should be his final term. However, in early May, during a press conference, he said he might consider a third term, leaving the door open for a referendum to amend the constitution. His political supporters have been working toward that goal ever since.

Catholic Church previously opposed constitutional change

The Catholic Church, which had previously opposed former President Joseph Kabila’s attempt to amend the constitution for a third term, is raising its voice again. Concerned about the prospect of constitutional revision, CENCO held an ‘Extraordinary Plenary Assembly’ in Kinshasa from June 18 to 20, 2026.

In a 17-point final declaration published on CENCO’s website, the 37 members of the Episcopal Conference (cardinals, bishops, and priests) declared that ‘the Nation is in peril!’ The country remains at war despite numerous peace agreements. For four years, North and South Kivu have been under the control of the Alliance of the Congo River/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) rebels, who are increasingly consolidating their administration over occupied territories.

Bloody war in the east and Ebola risk

In Ituri and parts of North Kivu, other armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), are ‘massacring thousands’ of Congolese. Adding to these already grave situations is the Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the east, with the risk of further spread.

Meanwhile, the Congolese clergy lamented: ‘We observe with great concern a growing tension arising from the ruling majority’s campaign to change the Constitution of February 18, 2006.’ They continued: ‘Unfortunately, this campaign, which uses state resources, is conducted in a climate of terror against dissenting voices within the majority itself, who are forced to remain silent out of fear of reprisals. As for opposition demonstrations, they are violently suppressed by police, in collaboration with a political party militia called “Force du progrès”.’

For the Congolese bishops, there is ‘neither necessity, nor urgency, nor opportunity for constitutional change.’ The country’s priority, they argue, ‘is peace, the social well-being of the people, unity, and national cohesion.’

Bishops accused of subversion

In response to the bishops’ statement, the Union Sacrée pour la Nation (USN) platform — a coalition of 400 political parties and movements supporting President Tshisekedi — expressed ‘indignation’ and condemned the CENCO declaration ‘with the utmost energy.’ It called the statement ‘nothing less than an act of subversion directed against legitimate, democratically established institutions.’

In a statement on their website, the president’s supporters said: ‘It is regrettable to note that the bishops have used, in their diatribe, several remarks clearly inciting popular uprising and the overthrow of the constitutional order.’