Thousands of protestors have swammed streets of DRC’s capital, Kinshasa rejecting the proposed amendments to the constitution.
The opposition named C64, derives it’s name from Article 64 of the DRC’s constitution, which calls on citizens to oppose anyone who takes power in violation of the constitutional order.
The ruling UDPS political party has tabled a bill in the national assembly proposing for a referendum on the amendment of provisions in the law on term limits.
Under the current constitution(2006), the president can only serve two terms.The 2006 constitution states that a president is elected for five years and can be re-elected only once.
Article 220 explicitly forbids any changes or revisions to the number and length of presidential terms.
The county’s Opposition groups consider the ongoing attempts to revise the law on Presidential term limits as a ‘constitutional coup’.
President Felix Tshisekedi just like in some neighbouring east Africa’s countries said he had not sought a third term but would accept one if the Congolese people wanted him to continue.
C64 says it will resist any attempt to use constitutional reform to extend Tshisekedi’s mandate beyond 2028.
Situation on ground
Police officers are deployed in large numbers at the Limete interchange, at the ECIDE headquarters, the march’s endpoint.
Law enforcement has also reinforced its presence at the People’s Palace, the seat of the Congolese Parliament, which is scheduled to host the national deputies for the parliamentary session this Thursday.
Several police vehicles, commonly known as “Kabasele,” have been deployed to allow for rapid intervention if needed.
Corps are also present at the Ngaliema shopping center and at the Ma Campagne gas station, directly opposite the Total station.
An unusual police presence has been observed at the Moulaert roundabout.
A significant police presence is also in place at the intersection of Avenue de l’Enseignement and Boulevard Triomphal, as well as at the Cabu bridge (Triomphal-Kasa-Vubu intersection).
Leaders of protestors have orderd residents of Tshangu and Mont-Amba to gather at the Limete interchange, before joining Lumumba Boulevard and then Sendwe Boulevard, with Triomphal Boulevard as their final destination.
The residents of Funa and Lukunga will converge towards the Moulaert roundabout, heading towards Kasa-Vubu, taking Kasa-Vubu Avenue to the Cabu bridge, and also emerging onto Triomphal Boulevard.
This is a developing story, Taarifa will bring you more updates as the situation unvolds.
Protestors oppose anyone who wants to take power in violation of the constitutional order
