The Democratic Republic of the Congo's National Assembly on June 9 adopted a controversial referendum bill that, should the Senate approve it at second reading, will replace the country's 2005 referendum law and strengthen the powers of the president to call a referendum, creating a legal framework that could eventually enable constitutional reform, RFI reported on June 10. Under the pending legislation, if a referendum approves the principle of constitutional change, a Constituent Assembly comprising national and provincial elected officials would be convened to draft and approve revisions, requiring a three-fifths majority before the final text is submitted to a popular vote.

In May, Tshisekedi said he would be willing to seek a third term if the Congolese people support it, while warning that the 2028 elections may not be feasible unless insecurity in eastern Congo is resolved. More recently, opposition leaders launched the Article 64 coalition, or C64, in Kinshasa on May 19 as a broad alliance opposing constitutional reform and any attempt to secure a third term for Tshisekedi. The coalition brings together the parties of leading opposition figures Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, Matata Ponyo, Delly Sesanga and Jean-Marc Kabund.

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