- Thousands protested in Goma and Bukavu against proposed constitutional reforms
- Critics say the changes could allow President Tshisekedi to seek a third term
- Demonstrators also called for the lifting of UN sanctions on AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Goma and Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday to oppose proposed constitutional reforms that critics say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term in office.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the protests took place in the two cities currently under the control of AFC/M23 rebels following the group’s offensive across North and South Kivu provinces last year.
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The demonstrations followed the approval of a bill by the Congolese parliament in June that would permit constitutional amendments to be submitted to a national referendum. Opposition groups argue that the move could pave the way for President Tshisekedi to extend his stay in office beyond the constitutional limit.
Protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “No to constitutional change” and “No to a referendum and a third term,” expressing their opposition to the proposed reforms.
Some demonstrators also urged the United Nations to lift sanctions recently imposed on AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa and the rebel movement.
The Congolese government, however, alleged that residents were compelled by the rebels to participate in the demonstrations. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya made the accusation in a post on X, while AFC/M23 had not responded to the claim at the time of filing this report.
Despite an existing ban on public gatherings introduced to curb the spread of Ebola, the protests were held under police supervision, according to eyewitnesses.
The latest demonstrations come weeks after opposition-led protests in the capital, Kinshasa, were dispersed by security forces following the introduction of the constitutional amendment proposal. Rebel authorities had earlier declared areas under their control free of Ebola, despite the government’s continued restrictions on public assemblies.
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