Leaders of opposition parties in Congo have called for a nationwide protest against President Felix Tshisekedi ’s plans to draft a new constitution.
It could be recalled that last month, President Tshisekedi announced that a national commission will be set up next year to draft a new constitution for the Central African country.
In a response, opposition politicians, including former President Joseph Kabila and former presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, called for protests against Tshisekedi’s plans.
Spokesperson for Kabila's party, Shadary Ramazani, said in a join statement from the opposition that the constitution was meant to prevent authoritarian drifts and guarantee democratic transitions of power.
Although the major concern of the opposition party is tenure elongation, Tshisekedi has pointed that changing the presidential term limit was up to the people to decide not the president.
Experts say Tshisekedi has the power to call to change the constitution but it will have to be approved by 60% of the parliament or pass by referendum.