DRC: Proposal for Referendum Law and Constitutional Change Vex Fears of Trouble, Warns Jean-Claude Katende at UN Human Rights Council

Jean-Claude Katende, president of ASADHO, warned on October 2 at the UN Human Rights Council about the potential for unrest in the DRC due to the proposed referendum law initiated by Paul-Gaspard Ngondankoy Nkoy Ea Loongya and efforts to amend the Constitution amid ongoing conflict. He emphasized the need to protect civil society space and human rights defenders, urging increased international support. The referendum bill, passed by the national and senate assemblies, remains a divisive issue, with Katende previously describing it as unconstitutional in June 2026.