AFRICA/DR CONGO - "No to the revision of the Constitution, because it puts at risk the stability of the Country", say the Bishops

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "The peaceful future of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) resides unquestionably in compliance with the Constitution", say the Bishops of the DRC in a Pastoral Letter which reiterates their opposition (expressed in June) regarding the reform of Article 220 of the Constitution which provides, inter alia, that "the number and term of office of the President of the Republic may not be subject to any constitutional reform".
An amendment of the article would allow the mandates of the Head of State to increase to three, instead of two, allowing the incumbent President, Joseph Kabila to run for election in 2016.
"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" warn the Bishops, who have published their message while they are in Rome for an Ad Limina visit. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/09/2014)