00:00The Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition has condemned a new law enacted by President Feli Shisekedi,
00:07accusing him of paving the way for a third time in office.
00:10Opposition politicians say the move amounts to a declaration of war against the Congolese people,
00:16accusing Shisekedi of seeking to remain in power indefinitely.
00:19The legislation relaxes rules governing constitutional referendums,
00:24potentially allowing changes to provisions that currently limit presidents to two five-year terms.
00:30It is a declaration of war against the Congolese people.
00:33By promulgating this law, which aims to unlock Article 220 in order to grant himself an unlimited number of terms,
00:42Feli Shisekedi is taking us back to Mobutizum, that is to say, a presidency for life.
00:47He is openly declaring that he wants to remain in power until someone strong enough comes along to remove him
00:54from it.
00:58Jisekedi has previously said he would accept a third time if voters wanted him to run again.
01:04The law has also drawn criticism from civil society groups and political opponents
01:09who say it risks worsening tensions in a country already facing conflicts in the East.
01:16I think this is an announcement or a decision that does not help to ease tensions.
01:21On the contrary, it has fuel to the fire of governments' critiques.
01:26The opposition and civil society groups who are challenging the plan to change the Constitution,
01:30they will now have an argument to say, look, this is no longer just an intention.
01:35The current government really wants to cling to power.
01:38That is why those in power are using other tools so that, at the right moment,
01:43they can bring out the referendum project and brandish it.
01:48The opposition has vowed to resist any constitutional change,
01:52while former President Joseph Kabila and his armed movement have threatened to end what they call
01:56tyranny by force if necessary.
