The Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has adopted a bill setting out the framework for a constitutional referendum, marking a significant step in a process that has intensified political debate over potential constitutional change.
The legislation, approved on Monday, June 15, 2026, follows earlier passage by the National Assembly and was adopted unanimously by 89 senators present in the 109-member Chamber.
The text establishes, for the first time, the legal modalities for organising a referendum in the country. It was finalised after a joint committee session between both chambers of parliament, which resolved differences over the structure of the proposed constitutional Assembly.
Under the agreed framework, the Constituent Assembly will be chaired by the President of the National Assembly, assisted by the President of the Senate once the process is formally initiated. Provisions initially including municipal councillors were removed following Senate amendments, with participation now limited to members of parliament, senators and provincial assembly representatives. The bill is expected to be transmitted to President Félix Tshisekedi for promulgation.
Political tensions have escalated around the reform process, with opposition groups arguing that the initiative could open the door to the adoption of a new constitution. Critics claim such a move may create conditions for President Tshisekedi to seek a third term after 2028, a claim the government has not confirmed.
The opposition coalition C64 has rejected the bill, describing it as part of a broader political strategy to reshape the constitutional order. Supporters of the reform, however, argue that the legislation is intended to formalise long-standing gaps in the legal framework governing referendums in the country.