CONGO’S opposition on Tuesday blasted the adoption of a Bill that could open the door to a third term for President Felix Tshisekedi, denouncing what they say is a power grab.

The Bill, adopted by the Senate on Monday, would enable a referendum on a new constitution under which President Tshisekedi’s previous terms wouldn’t count against him — effectively resetting the clock. 

It has already passed the National Assembly and now awaits the president’s signature.

President Tshisekedi has been in office since 2019. He has said that he would seek a third term, if voters approved of it in a referendum. But no date has been set for one.

Congo’s constitution explicitly bars any revision of presidential term limits. The Bill works around that provision by allowing the president to amend the constitution in the event of a “major dysfunction” paralysing state institutions.

Both the senate and national assembly votes took place without opposition lawmakers, who walked out weeks ago in protest.

Senate president Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde hailed the vote, saying it gives the Congolese people a framework to “exercise their sovereignty” through a referendum.

Leading opposition figure Martin Fayulu said the president had “betrayed his oath to respect the constitution and is therefore worthless,” and announced a march on July 8 to the presidential palace, demanding President Tshisekedi’s resignation.