Lambert Mende rejects link between referendum and third term
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kivu Morning Post
Lambert Mende, a former minister under Joseph Kabila and member of the Sacred Union, says the referendum law promulgated on 9 November 2026 by Félix Tshisekedi does not pave the way for a third presidential term. He says the opposition is confusing the referendum mechanism, provided for by the Constitution since 2006, with the political future of the head of state, Kivu Morning Post reports.
Lambert Mende, a former minister and government spokesman under Joseph Kabila and a member of the Sacred Union, rejects any link between the revision of the referendum law and a possible third term for Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. Speaking on TV5 Monde, he says there has never been any question of using the law to pave the way for a new presidential candidacy and believes the opposition is "putting the cart before the horse" by making this connection.
Lambert Mende recalls that a referendum is already provided for by the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo and that a law on the mechanism was adopted in 2006 under Joseph Kabila. According to him, the current process is aimed at revising this law to adapt it to the spirit of the Congolese people and is solely intended to allow a revision of the Constitution. He also says Félix Tshisekedi has repeatedly indicated that his political future should not be associated with this procedure.
The statements come after Félix Tshisekedi promulgated the referendum law on 9 November. On 12 November, the Sacred Union said the way was open towards a new Constitution.
