Overview
- Following Wednesday's televised press conference, Tshisekedi said Congo cannot run the December 2028 presidential vote if fighting keeps parts of North and South Kivu outside state control.
- He linked any path to a new candidacy to a referendum, noting the constitution caps presidents at two terms and would need revision for a third.
- Opposition figures, including Delly Sesanga and André Claudel Lubaya, accused him of preparing to extend power and warned the comments could fuel fresh turmoil.
- The Sacred Union's Andre Mbata said a technical commission will convene after May 20 to review submissions on constitutional changes and advise the president.
- The conflict escalated in January 2025 as the AFC/M23 seized Goma and later Bukavu, with about 3,000 people killed and around 7 million displaced, while U.S.-led mediation has struggled and Rwanda denies backing the rebels.