A protest in Kinshasa against plans to revise the Democratic Republic of Congo’s constitution descended into violence, leaving senior opposition figures and dozens of others injured as police moved in to disperse the crowd.

The demonstration was organised by C64, a recently formed coalition of opposition parties united by their rejection of any attempt to lift the country’s strict two-term presidential limit. Under the current charter, President Felix Tshisekedi must step down at the end of his second mandate in 2028. His allies in parliament are backing a bill that would open the door to constitutional reform via referendum in the event of what they call a “major dysfunction” of state institutions.

Opposition leaders argue that the initiative is a veiled bid to allow Tshisekedi to seek a third term after he publicly signalled his willingness to continue in office “if the people wish it.” They accuse the ruling camp of testing the ground for a broader overhaul of the basic law that would remove the two-term cap altogether.

Hundreds of C64 supporters gathered near the parliament building in the capital to denounce the project. Tensions flared when pro-government activists confronted the marchers, triggering stone-throwing and scuffles that quickly drew in the security forces. Police fired tear gas to break up the rally, sending protesters running through nearby streets.

Among those caught in the clashes were Martin Fayulu, a prominent opposition leader who has twice run for president, and fellow politician Prince Epenge. Both were reported to have suffered minor injuries. Several demonstrators sought refuge at the headquarters of Fayulu’s Commitment to Citizenship and Development party, where the confrontation continued.

Witnesses said police officers and young activists claiming allegiance to the Forces of Progress, a pro-government youth movement frequently accused by rights groups of intimidation tactics, hurled stones at the building. Opposition figures later alleged that live ammunition had been used, a claim that could not be independently verified.

The provincial authorities in Kinshasa reported at least 20 people injured, including 15 police officers and five protesters, and insisted the march had not been authorised in the vicinity of parliament. Civil-society organisations and opposition parties condemned what they described as excessive force and a growing climate of repression around the constitutional debate.

C64 leaders are demanding the withdrawal of the bill before the National Assembly, warning that tampering with entrenched term limits risks plunging the country into a new cycle of political instability.