Thousands of people rallied in the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu on Tuesday to protest against proposed constitutional changes that could pave the way for President Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third term. Goma and Bukavu have been under the control of AFC/M23 rebels since the group’s rapid advance across North and South Kivu provinces last year. Demonstrators carried banners reading “No to constitutional change” and “No to a referendum and a third term”, according to two Reuters witnesses. Government Accusations and Protest ConditionsCongolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya accused the rebels of forcing residents to join the demonstrations in a post on X. An AFC/M23 spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.