Rights
The 2006 constitution, revised 2011, over a decentralised 26-province state
The 2006 constitution created a semi-presidential republic with 26 provinces, a Constitutional Court and entrenched provisions that cannot be amended, including the number of presidential terms and the republican form of the state. The 2011 revision moved the presidential election to a single round.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Cour constitutionnelle rules on constitutionality, electoral disputes and the criminal liability of the President and Prime Minister.
- Deadline — Presidential term: five years, renewable once — an entrenched clause
- Deadline — Constitutional Court election petition: eight days from proclamation
Governing law
- Constitution de la République démocratique du Congo2006, revised 2011
- Loi organique n° 13/026 portant organisation et fonctionnement de la Cour constitutionnelle
- Loi n° 08/012 portant principes fondamentaux relatifs à la libre administration des provinces
In practice
The 2006 text is notable for its entrenched provisions: article 220 forbids any amendment reducing individual rights or altering the number and length of presidential terms, which made the 2015–2016 debate over postponing elections a constitutional rather than merely political dispute. The promised division into 26 provinces was implemented in 2015, creating provincial assemblies with real legislative competence.