President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo said he would accept a third term if the Congolese people approve it.
The statement introduces potential instability regarding the country's democratic timeline and the interpretation of term limits. It comes as the administration faces persistent security challenges in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu.
Tshisekedi addressed the possibility of extending his leadership on Thursday. "I would accept a third term if the Congolese people approve it," Tshisekedi said [1].
While the president expressed openness to a third term, he also highlighted significant obstacles to the electoral process. He warned that the ongoing conflict in the east could force a postponement of the presidential elections scheduled for 2028 [1].
"We cannot organise the next elections unless the conflict in the east is resolved," Tshisekedi said [2].
The president's current term is set to end in two years [2]. The potential for a delay in the 2028 vote, coupled with the prospect of a third term, creates a volatile political landscape in a region already strained by violence and displacement.
Tshisekedi said he wants to respect the will of the Congolese electorate regarding his tenure. However, the intersection of national security and electoral deadlines remains a primary concern for the government.
“"I would accept a third term if the Congolese people approve it."”
The dual possibility of a term-limit extension and an election delay suggests a potential shift toward prolonged leadership under the guise of security necessity. By linking the 2028 election schedule to the resolution of conflict in North and South Kivu, the presidency establishes a condition that could legally or politically justify postponing democratic transitions.
