Referendum Law: “The outcome is already sealed in Parliament,” Christian Mwando denounces a forced passage

The National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo adopted a law on October 23 setting the conditions for organizing a referendum, incorporating reservations from the Constitutional Court. The bill now goes to the Senate for a second reading and could pave the way for changes to any constitutional provision or the adoption of a new constitution. Christian Mwando Nsimba, leader of the Ensemble parliamentary group, says the move aims to circumvent Article 220 on term limits and violates the Constitution. He also says it shuts the door on national dialogue, after the opposition held marches in June and July.