DRC constitutional reform must be based on national consensus says un human rights official

The debate over constitutional reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to split the country’s political and social landscape. The issue took centre stage on Monday, 29 June 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, during an interactive dialogue held as part of the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The session featured the first official update from the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Speaking at the meeting, Abdoul Aziz Thioye, Deputy Director of the Global Operations Division at the UN Human Rights Office, addressed the Council on behalf of High Commissioner Volker Türk. He expressed concern over the shrinking civic and political space in the DRC, specifically referencing recent opposition demonstrations in Kinshasa against any attempt to amend the constitution.

Thioye, who previously served as head of the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC, stressed that any constitutional reform must be built on a broad national consensus to safeguard social cohesion.

“Any constitutional reform process must rest on a national consensus and respect the country’s human rights commitments. All voices must be heard and taken into account, otherwise social cohesion could suffer serious consequences,” warned Abdoul Aziz Thioye.

On a separate note, the former head of the UN Joint Human Rights Office highlighted the support provided by the United Nations, through the same office, in the fight against impunity in the DRC, despite financial constraints and staff reductions. He stated that this assistance had led to the conviction of 109 individuals. He also noted that 150 human rights defenders, journalists, and members of their families had received support.

“Since our last update to the Council, we have supported the authorities in organising three judicial investigations into serious human rights violations, as well as five mobile court hearings. These proceedings resulted in the conviction of 109 people. We also provided assistance to 150 human rights defenders and journalists, or members of their families, including psychological and legal support, financial aid, and relocation measures,” explained Abdoul Aziz Thioye.

Within the DRC, the debate on constitutional reform has given rise to two opposing movements: the Article 64 Coalition for the Defence of the Constitutional Order, known as C64, and the Coalition of Congolese for Constitutional Change, or C4. Each claims to have popular backing to achieve its objectives.

This debate unfolds against the backdrop of a major security crisis in eastern DRC, marked by the activity of local and foreign armed groups. It is further complicated by clashes involving the AFC/M23 rebellion, which is supported by Rwanda and controls large swathes of territory in North Kivu and South Kivu. The ADF insurgency also remains active, while diplomatic initiatives appear to advance more on paper than through concrete results on the ground.