Modeste Bahati Lukwebo resigned on Wednesday 18 October 2026 from his post as Second Vice-President of the Senate, as the plenary session established a special committee of 27 senators to investigate, within 72 hours, the petition calling for his removal. This decision comes against a backdrop of intense pressure, as a motion of no confidence had been tabled against him.

In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, the South Kivu senator stated that he was stepping down from his post following the submission of a petition for his removal initiated by Senator Dany Kabongo Bondanya and supported by several parliamentarians.

“In any case, when one is given a mandate, one must be prepared to step down at any time. As there were misunderstandings following my statement at my press conference, I thought I had made myself clear when I said that a great deal of work needed to be done on the people themselves if we were to hope that the laws would be enforced,” said Modeste Bahati.

This resignation also comes amid heightened tensions linked to the debate on the Constitution. Modeste Bahati Lukwebo had recently opposed any initiative for constitutional revision, a stance that is said to have contributed to weakening his influence within the majority.

Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, who served as President of the Senate between 2019 and 2024, had resumed the role of Vice-President following the 2023 general election. His departure could have repercussions on the internal balance of power within the Senate, against the broader backdrop of political realignment in the run-up to the next elections.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma