Bishops in Congo oppose constitutional change allowing president to serve 3rd term
September 17, 2014
The bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo have come out against changes in the country’s constitution, the Fides news agency reports.
In a pastoral letter, the country’s bishops reiterate their opposition to an amendment that would allow the president to serve for three terms. Under the constitution as it stands, the incumbent, President Joseph Kabila, would not be eligible to run for a 3rd term in 2016. The bishops had indicated earlier this year that they opposed the amendment.
Article 220 of the existing constitution stipulates that the rules regarding presidential terms “may not be subject to any constitutional reform.” The bishops, in their pastoral letter, said: “Article 220 lays the foundation of the Country's stability and balance of powers in the institutions. Changing it would seriously compromise the harmonious future of the nation"
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