DR Congo leader opens way for third term under new constitution

KINSHASA: DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has enacted a law that paves the way for constitutional change, condemned by the opposition as an attempt to cling onto power. The law, announced in an order read on national television overnight Tuesday to Wednesday, eases the rules around holding a referendum on constitutional matters in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It comes two years ahead of the next scheduled elections, and with the reformed M23 armed group, now led by Tshisekedi’s predecessor Joseph Kabila, vowing to “put an end to tyranny” — by force if needed. Tshisekedi, 63, has been in power since 2019 and under the current constitution has to step down at the end of his second five-year term at the end of 2028.