DRC President Tshisekedi Hints at Third Term and Possible Election Delay
Primary region Africa
Tags Elections · Justice · Security
Regions Africa
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi said on May 7, 2026 that he would accept a third term if the people want one, despite the 2006 constitution limiting presidents to two terms under Article 220. Tshisekedi also warned that 2028 elections may be delayed due to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels control large swathes of North and South Kivu. His UDPS party has been pushing for constitutional revision since late 2024. A bill was submitted to parliament in March 2026 to organize a referendum, and a technical commission is expected to examine submissions after May 20. Opposition leaders warned any attempt to amend the constitution would amount to a 'constitutional coup.' Tshisekedi blamed Rwanda for prolonging the conflict and invoked the December 2025 DRC-US minerals partnership agreement as a reason for legal changes.
Strategic interpretation
Tshisekedi's simultaneous push for constitutional revision and election delay creates a logical contradiction that critics have highlighted: he says any change requires a referendum but also argues elections cannot be held while eastern territories are occupied. This pattern mirrors term-limit extensions across the continent and could trigger institutional tensions and unrest. The US response will be significant given the December 2025 minerals partnership agreement — Washington faces a tension between its democratic governance agenda and its strategic interest in Congolese critical minerals. The M23 conflict provides a convenient justification for delay, but the opposition views this as a pretext for an unconstitutional power grab.