President Felix Tshisekedi has said he is ready to seek a third term in office if the people of Democratic Republic of the Congo ask him to do so.
Speaking during a press Conference in Kinshasa on May 6, 2026, Tshisekedi addressed growing debate over a possible constitutional reform that could allow him to remain in power beyond current term limits.
The Congolese leader, who has been in office since 2019, said any revision or change to the Constitution would only happen after consulting citizens through a referendum. “If the Congolese ask me to return to the front, I am at their disposal,” Tshisekedi declared during the three-hour press conference attended by journalists and senior Government officials.
The proposal for constitutional reform has generated controversy in recent months, particularly among Catholic and Protestant church leaders, who oppose any attempt to amend Article 220 of the Constitution, which limits presidential terms.
F. Tshisekedi acknowledged that revising or changing the Constitution has long been part of the agenda of his ruling party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS). He also linked the urgency of reforms to a partnership agreement between United States and the DRC, suggesting that constitutional adjustments could be necessary under the arrangement.
The President further stated that elections scheduled for 2028 may not take place if the conflict in eastern DRC continues. He argued that it would be impossible to organize credible national elections without the participation of the conflict-affected North and South Kivu provinces.
Drawing comparisons with Ukraine, Tshisekedi said prolonged insecurity could make elections impractical despite the availability of financial resources. The remarks quickly sparked criticism from opposition figures. Former lawmaker Claudel-André Lubaya, an ally of former President Joseph Kabila, accused Tshisekedi of creating further political tension and undermining the Constitution.
Lubaya argued that no constitutional provision permits extending presidential rule based on alleged popular demand and questioned how a referendum could be held if elections themselves are deemed impossible because of the ongoing war in the east.