DRC's 2028 Succession Battle Intensifies Amid Tshisekedi's Reforms

Kinshasa – President Félix Tshisekedi’s accelerated reform agenda is intensifying a political contest over the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 2028 presidential succession. Since taking office in 2019, Tshisekedi has pursued a series of legislative and institutional changes aimed at curbing corruption, strengthening the judiciary and redefining the role of the ruling coalition. The reforms, which include amendments to the electoral code and the creation of a new anti‑corruption watchdog, have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and factions within the ruling Common Front for Congo (FCC), who argue that the measures undermine the balance of power established after the 2018 elections.

The dispute has crystallised around the selection of a successor, with the FCC’s former allies urging a consensus candidate while Tshisekedi’s camp promotes a younger, technocratic figure aligned with his reformist platform. Negotiations in the National Assembly have stalled as lawmakers debate the timing of the constitutional revisions and the eligibility criteria for future candidates. International observers have warned that a protracted stalemate could jeopardise the credibility of the 2028 vote and destabilise a country already grappling with security challenges in the east. As the deadline for candidate registration approaches, both sides appear poised to leverage the reform agenda to shape the next presidential race, underscoring the high stakes of Congo’s political transition.