DRC leader Tshisekedi hints at possible rule beyond second term amid eastern war • FRANCE 24

Key Concepts

• Constitutional Term Limits: The current legal framework in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) restricting a president to two terms.
• M23 Rebellion: A militant group currently active in the eastern DRC, responsible for the fall of Goma.
• Constitutional Reform: The potential process of amending the national constitution to remove term limits.
• Geopolitical Alliances: The strategic shift in DRC’s security policy, specifically the strengthening of ties with the United States.

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1. Presidential Tenure and Constitutional Reform

President Felix Tshisekedi addressed his political future during his first press conference in over two years. While he explicitly stated, "I never asked for a third mandate," he introduced a significant caveat: "If the people want me to stay for a third term, I will accept."

Tshisekedi proposed a national dialogue regarding the current constitution, questioning which elements are beneficial and which should be discarded. He argued that the discussion regarding constitutional reform should be separated from the specific issue of a third term, yet his rhetoric suggests a willingness to bypass the current two-term limit if framed as a "will of the people."

2. Security Crisis in Eastern Congo

A major portion of the briefing focused on the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, particularly the territorial gains made by the M23 rebel group, including the fall of Goma.

• Military Assessment: The President acknowledged that the Congolese army (FARDC) had been "weak," but asserted that the situation is currently improving.
• Strategic Alliances: Tshisekedi highlighted that the DRC’s new alliance with the United States is a critical factor in shifting the security landscape.
• The "War" Justification: The President linked his political future to the security situation, stating, "As long as the war continues in the east, my fight will continue." This statement is widely interpreted by observers as a justification for extending his presidency beyond the constitutional limit.

3. Political Methodology and Rhetoric

Tshisekedi employed a specific rhetorical framework to distance himself from the appearance of power-grabbing:

• The "Shadows" Strategy: He claimed he would be willing to step back and "remain in the shadows" to serve his successor, provided that successor honors the Republic.
• Public Mandate: By shifting the responsibility to the "people," he creates a populist justification for potentially violating the two-term limit, effectively framing a constitutional change as a democratic response rather than a personal ambition.

4. Notable Statements

• On Succession: "I will make myself available to my successor. And I won't take up arms against him. I will remain at the disposal of the Republic."
• On Constitutional Change: "What are the good elements of this constitution? Should we keep it or not? And what prevents us from considering these questions? But what we shouldn't do is link this exercise to a third mandate."
• On Staying in Power: "If the people want me to stay for a third term, I will accept."

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The press conference marks a pivotal moment in Congolese politics. By acknowledging the military failures in the east while simultaneously signaling a potential path to a third term, President Tshisekedi has effectively tied the nation's security crisis to his own political longevity. The core takeaway is that while the President denies personal desire for a third term, he has established a clear pathway to remain in office by leveraging the ongoing M23 conflict and proposing a constitutional review process. This has fueled concerns among critics that the administration is laying the groundwork to dismantle the two-term limit established by the current constitution.