DR Congo: Free Speech Under Siege as Tshisekedi Moves to Extend Presidential Term
KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing a dramatic crackdown on dissent as President Félix Tshisekedi pushes for constitutional reforms that could eliminate term limits, allowing him to remain in power beyond the current two-term maximum. Human rights organizations document a surge in arbitrary detentions, media harassment, and violent suppression of protests—coinciding with escalating conflict in the east, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels continue their advance.
Escalating Repression Against Critics
Since January 2026, Congolese authorities have intensified efforts to silence opposition voices, targeting journalists, activists, and political figures who challenge government policies or question Tshisekedi’s potential third-term bid. The crackdown has been particularly aggressive against:
- Journalists: At least two reporters have gone into hiding after intelligence agents raided their homes, while others face threats for covering protests or criticizing the constitutional amendments. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports that media outlets critical of the government now operate under heightened surveillance.
- Opposition leaders: On March 24, police in Kinshasa used tear gas and beat protesters from the Engagement pour la Citoyenneté et le Développement (ECiDé) party, arresting 15 individuals. Five were released at a police station, while the remaining 10 were transferred to prosecutors and freed the following evening. Witnesses described the arrests as retaliatory for peaceful demonstrations against the constitutional changes.
- Civil society: Groups like Lutte pour le Changement (Lucha) have seen members detained for organizing protests over basic services, with some sentenced to prison for “threatening state security”—a charge HRW calls politically motivated.
“Congolese citizens have the right to express their opinions without fear, but repression is making that impossible.”
Term-Limit Reform: The Spark for Crackdowns
Tshisekedi’s push to revise the constitution—first publicly discussed during a nationally televised address on May 6, 2026—has become the focal point of the repression. The proposed amendments would remove the two-term limit for presidents, a move critics warn is a bid to consolidate power.
Key Events in the Crackdown
- January 9, 2026: Jordan Saidi Atibu, coordinator of the Observatoire d’Actions Parlementaire et Gouvernementale, was arrested by the National Intelligence Agency. Held for 40 days in solitary confinement, he was released without charges. HRW describes his detention as part of a pattern of enforced disappearances targeting critics.
- March 3, 2026: Serge Sindani, director of Kis24.info, was detained for 10 days by intelligence agents who accused him of ties to the M23 and the Alliance Fleuve Congo coalition. Sindani denies the allegations and was released without formal charges.
- March 9, 2026: A military tribunal convicted Parole Kamizelo, a member of Tshisekedi’s former party, the Parti du peuple pour la reconstruction et la démocratie (PPRD), of “insulting the head of state.” His lawyer called the charges politically motivated.
HRW’s research reveals that at least 17 political figures and activists have been forcibly disappeared since late 2025, with many held by the Conseil national de cyberdéfense (CNC), a unit linked to the presidency. As of May 2026, eight remain in detention, including former National Assembly president Aubin Minaku and PPRD secretary-general Emmanuel Shadary, both held without trial for over six months.
M23 War and the Pretext for Crackdowns
The repression coincides with the worsening conflict in eastern Congo, where the M23—backed by Rwanda—has captured major cities since 2025. The government has used the crisis to justify detentions under the pretext of collusion with rebel groups, a charge HRW says is routinely applied to silence dissent.
Why the M23 Matters
- The M23, originally a 2012 rebel group, re-emerged in 2021 with Rwandan support, capturing Goma in June 2023 and Bunagana in 2025.
- The UN and regional bodies accuse Rwanda of directly arming and training M23 fighters, though Kinshasa denies this.
- Tshisekedi’s government has framed opposition to his reforms as aiding the M23, a claim HRW calls a baseless smear.
Global Condemnation and Domestic Defiance
The crackdown has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights groups, but Tshisekedi’s government shows no signs of easing restrictions. The African Union and UN have called for dialogue, while regional allies like Angola and South Africa have urged restraint.
Domestically, opposition parties continue to mobilize despite risks. The Action pour la démocratie et le développement au Congo (ADDC) and Ensemble pour la République report attacks on their offices, including a February 21 incident in Kinshasa where pro-government youth vandalized their headquarters while singing party songs. HRW has verified footage of the attack, which the government has not condemned.
Key Questions About the Crisis
Q: What are the proposed constitutional changes?
A: President Tshisekedi has suggested revising Article 220 of Congo’s constitution to remove the two-term limit for presidents. Supporters argue it would allow for stability; critics say it’s a power grab. The exact text of the proposed amendments has not been publicly released.
Q: Is the M23 really backed by Rwanda?
A: The UN, US, and EU have documented evidence of Rwandan military support for the M23, including arms supplies, and training. Rwanda denies direct involvement but acknowledges “humanitarian” aid to displaced populations in eastern Congo.
Q: How many people have been detained?
A: HRW has recorded at least 17 cases of enforced disappearance since December 2025, with eight individuals still held as of May 2026. Additional arrests occur regularly but are often not publicly documented.
Q: What happens next?
A: The constitutional debate is expected to dominate Congolese politics in the coming months. If Tshisekedi succeeds in pushing the reforms, it could trigger mass protests—and further repression. The M23 conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, raising fears of a perfect storm of political and military crises.
A Turning Point for Congo’s Democracy?
As Tshisekedi tightens his grip on power, Congo stands at a crossroads. The crackdown on free speech, the M23 offensive, and the looming constitutional battle threaten to unravel the fragile democratic gains of the past decade. For now, the message from Kinshasa is clear: dissent will not be tolerated.
The international community must act swiftly to prevent Congo from sliding further into authoritarianism. For Congolese citizens, the question is whether they will risk arrest to demand their rights—or remain silent in the face of repression.