During a political gathering of the Convention des Congolais Unis (CCU) on Monday, August 3, 2026, Lambert Mende Omalanga offered his perspective on the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prominent CCU leader urged the Congolese populace to set aside their differences and unite against what he described as an existential threat to the nation.

Mende framed his message to CCU activists around the forward-looking question: “What will tomorrow bring?”

Presented as a message from the “Lumumbists of the CCU to the Nation,” his address extensively covered the decades-long security turmoil plaguing Eastern DRC.

Lambert Mende asserted that global and regional geopolitical shifts have profoundly impacted the Congolese situation since 1996.

Kigali accused of destabilization

Lambert Mende directly accused Rwanda of being the primary source of persistent instability in Eastern DRC. He stated that numerous armed groups operating in the region are, according to evidence presented in his discourse, proxies for Kigali.

He further recounted the various justifications offered over the years by Rwandan President Paul Kagame for his country’s involvement in the DRC, including the presence of the FDLR and the purported protection of the Tutsi community in Kivu. Mende argued that these explanations have gradually morphed into territorial claims, which he deemed incompatible with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s territorial integrity.

“All is not irremediably lost”

Despite the gravity of the circumstances, the CCU’s head expressed optimism. He highlighted that mounting diplomatic pressure on Kigali represents a favorable development for the DRC.

Specifically, he pointed to American sanctions as a factor contributing to increased pressure on the Rwandan government.

Lambert Mende also commended the voluntary disarmament process of the FDLR, presenting it as a significant step that, in his view, removes one of Kigali’s main pretexts for maintaining its forces in Eastern Congo.

National dialogue: CCU sets conditions

Regarding a potential inclusive National Dialogue, Lambert Mende noted an emerging consensus among the government, opposition, and civil society on the necessity of such a forum.

However, for the CCU, the paramount concerns remain addressing the Rwandan aggression and strengthening national cohesion. Therefore, this Dialogue should primarily focus on developing and implementing mechanisms for preventing and protecting against terrorism, “regardless of its origin.”

Nevertheless, Lambert Mende expressed reservations about the participation of individuals who have been duly convicted by justice or sanctioned by the international community for complicity with the aggressor. He also maintained that members of armed groups actively collaborating with Rwanda, who do not formally disassociate themselves, should be excluded from this forum.

Constitutional reform: Mende advocates for perspective

Constitutional reform also formed a crucial part of his address.

The former minister and government spokesperson under Joseph Kabila stressed the importance of differentiating between the adoption of a referendum law and the actual organization of a constitutional referendum. He reiterated that a referendum is a popular consultation inherent to constitutional democracy.

Furthermore, he contended that states possess the flexibility to adjust their political-institutional timelines when confronted with extraordinary circumstances. He cited historical examples such as the United States during major 20th-century crises and contemporary Ukraine facing war.

Tshisekedi’s continued leadership during aggression

Lambert Mende’s speech directly addressed the political future of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.

The CCU asserted that President Tshisekedi should remain in office as long as the Rwandan aggression against the DRC persists. Lambert Mende positioned Félix Tshisekedi as the only one among the four heads of state who have led the DRC since 1996 to have, in his assessment, taken substantial political, military, and diplomatic actions against this aggression.

This stance emerges amid considerable debate within the Congolese political class concerning constitutional reform and the nation’s institutional trajectory.

“The common house is burning”

Continuing his appeal for national cohesion, Lambert Mende urged Congolese citizens to downplay political disagreements, suggesting they can be addressed later. He emphasized that the immediate priority must be the security and survival of the Congolese state, especially within the context of the humanitarian crisis.

The CCU leader specifically mentioned the evolving Ebola virus epidemic in areas along the front line separating Rwandan and Congolese forces in the East of the country.

Call for strategic alliance with the United States

In closing, Lambert Mende endorsed President Tshisekedi’s initiative to forge a strategic alliance between the DRC and the United States. He believes this partnership could significantly bolster the resilience of the Congolese people and enable the nation to develop a robust power strategy against the threats it confronts.

“The common house is burning,” Lambert Mende emphatically declared, imploring the Congolese to transcend political disputes and rally behind the defense of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

The message from the CCU Lumumbists thus serves as a powerful plea for national unity, cohesion, and a concentrated effort by Congolese forces to tackle the security crisis.

“Long live the Democratic Republic of Congo, one and indivisible!” concluded Lambert Mende Omalanga.