DRC Church Urges Inclusive Dialogue on Constitutional Reform

The Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) has officially stated its position on the debate surrounding constitutional reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following its 66th extraordinary session in Kinshasa on June 7, 2026, the Protestant church declared that any initiative to reform the fundamental law must achieve broad national consensus. The ECC stressed that institutional issues cannot be handled unilaterally and called on the political class to prioritize democratic dialogue to prevent escalating tensions.

Citing the current constitution, the ECC reminded stakeholders that any textual modification must adhere to strict legislative rules, particularly concerning immutable articles. Pastor Dominique Mukanya, secretary-rapporteur of the ECC's national executive committee, read the final declaration: "The Church of Christ in Congo believes that a constitutional reform initiative, in the current context, must imperatively meet the requirement of an inclusive and peaceful national framework, in accordance with articles 5, 218, 219, and 220 of the Constitution."

Amidst anticipated divisions, the religious institution exhorted political actors to draw from both sacred texts and African traditions for conflict resolution to overcome the institutional impasse. The ECC also aligned itself with international community recommendations for the country's stability. "Based on these facts, the Church of Christ in Congo calls on the parties to resort to divine wisdom, cf. 1 Kings 3:16-28, and African ontological values of the 'palabre tree.' Democratic, national, and inclusive dialogue remains the appropriate path in this specific context, in line with UN Security Council resolutions 2773 and 2808, resolutions from the African Union and the European Union, as well as the Washington and Doha agreements. We are a people united by fate and effort for independence," concluded the ECC leaders' statement.