Referendum law opens way for new Constitution, Mbata says
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Actualité.cd
André Mbata, a member of parliament and secretary-general of the presidential majority in DR Congo, believes the referendum law now makes it possible to consider a new Constitution without imposing one. He explained that the legislation was initially intended to fill the legal vacuum surrounding the organisation of referendums, according to Actualite.cd.
The law on referendums makes the adoption of a new Constitution legally possible in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, without making it compulsory, André Mbata, secretary-general of the presidential majority and chairman of the National Assembly’s Political, Administrative and Legal Commission, said on Wednesday. He was speaking during a live Space session organised by Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, reports Actualité.cd.
André Mbata explained that the legislation’s priority was to fill a legal vacuum by establishing a framework for organising referendums. He also mentioned the possibility that President Félix Tshisekedi could set up a multidisciplinary commission made up of academics and intellectuals to consider a new Constitution, without announcing a timetable, according to Actualité.cd.
These statements come the day after the promulgation of the referendum law. The opposition and part of civil society believe that the proposed constitutional change could allow Félix Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond his second and final term, an interpretation rejected by his supporters, reports Actualité.cd.
