- Politics
DRC political infighting escalates ahead of July 22 constitutional challenge march
Tensions within Congo’s ruling coalition have reached boiling point as top allies of President Félix Tshisekedi publicly clash over strategy to counter a major opposition demonstration scheduled for July 22. The march, organized by the C64 Coalition, demands the president’s resignation, accusing him of constitutional betrayal following revelations about his plans to amend the foundational 2006 constitution.
Leadership rift exposed within Union Sacrée
Two prominent figures in the president’s inner circle—Augustin Kabuya and André Mbata—have locked horns in a very public display of discord. Kabuya, the UDPS secretary-general and powerhouse within the ruling party, has explicitly discouraged his party’s members from participating in any counter-demonstrations on July 22, calling the opposition’s march “a futile exercise.”
Mbata, a constitutional law professor and permanent secretary of the Union Sacrée (the president’s coalition platform), fired back within 48 hours, condemning Kabuya’s directive as “politically reckless and premature”. In a strongly worded statement released from Yaoundé, where he was on parliamentary business, Mbata accused Kabuya of overstepping and insisted that the coalition’s 900+ member parties and associations should follow the Union Sacrée’s official spokesperson—not a single party leader.
“The Union Sacrée cannot be reduced to a single component,” Mbata declared. “Statements made by one member do not represent the entire coalition.”
He went further to question why the platform remained silent while opposition figures “march to demand the removal of a democratically elected president.”
Historical grievances resurface
This isn’t the first time the two leaders have clashed. In April of this year, Mbata publicly opposed Kabuya’s candidate in the Sankuru gubernatorial election, throwing his support behind Jules Lodi Emongo instead. That move led to Kabuya ordering party members to halt financial contributions to Mbata—a direct retaliatory measure that underscored deep divisions within the coalition.
Analysts suggest these internal fractures reflect broader instability within the Union Sacrée, a coalition already under pressure from opposition momentum and the looming 2028 elections—when Tshisekedi will reach the constitutional two-term limit. With the opposition gaining traction and public frustration rising over constitutional reform rumors, the infighting risks undermining the ruling camp’s cohesion at a critical political juncture.
What’s at stake?
- Opposition march on July 22: The C64 Coalition’s demonstration targets the Palais de la Nation in Kinshasa, with provincial and diaspora mobilizations planned nationwide.
- Constitutional reform controversy: Critics argue Tshisekedi’s push to amend the constitution represents an attempt to extend his mandate, echoing concerns raised during recent gubernatorial elections.
- Leadership credibility: The public spat between Kabuya and Mbata risks exposing a lack of unified strategy within the ruling coalition, potentially emboldening opposition forces.
As the nation braces for what could be a defining confrontation, the Union Sacrée’s ability to present a united front—and President Tshisekedi’s capacity to navigate internal dissent—will be tested like never before.