France, May 8 -- "If the people of Congo ask me to return, I am at their disposal," Tshisekedi said during a three-hour press conference in Kinshasa on Wednesday evening.

In power since 2019 and more than halfway through his second term, the president stressed any constitutional change would be submitted to a referendum: "If any change or revision is to be made, it will never be without consulting the people."

His comments quickly drew criticism from his opponents. Speaking to RFI, former MP Claudel-Andre Lubaya - now living in exile - said Tshisekedi had effectively announced his intention to breach the country's fundamental laws.

"No provision of the constitution allows a so-called popular will to justify violating its letter and spi...