Democratic Republic of Congo Sees Rising Repression Amid Tshisekedi Third-Term Debate

Human Rights Watch has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to safeguard free speech and ensure people can voice dissent without intimidation or harassment, following fresh accounts of journalists, activists, and opposition figures being arbitrarily detained.

In a statement, the organization said the tightening grip on critics comes amid mounting political friction over a potential constitutional revision. Opponents warn that such a change could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to sidestep the country’s two-term cap, raising alarms about an extension of his time in office.

The warning lands as the country confronts an escalating conflict in the east with the Rwandan-backed M23, which captured major cities in 2025. As fighting intensifies, authorities have increasingly pursued people accused of collaborating with M23 or other armed opposition groups, a trend rights advocates say risks criminalizing dissent and deepening a climate of fear.