President tshisekedi orders national dialogue for drc’s future

President Félix Tshisekedi has announced the upcoming launch of an inclusive and truly republican national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This significant development follows a crucial meeting held on Friday with representatives from the country’s leading religious denominations.

During a press briefing subsequent to this announcement, the government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, clarified that a presidential ordinance would soon be issued. This decree will meticulously outline the framework, procedures, and specific details for organizing this national dialogue, a process that has been widely called for by various segments of the Congolese socio-political landscape for several months.

“As the guarantor of the nation under Article 69 of the Constitution, the President of the Republic acted in this capacity. Therefore, in the coming days, he will issue an ordinance that will define the terms and specifics of how this dialogue will be structured. I reiterate that he will personally oversee the organization of this dialogue, naturally involving the religious leaders to explore how to foster national cohesion by bringing together Congolese men and women from all backgrounds who, like us, are driven by the desire to end aggression and ensure our country’s unity,” stated Patrick Muyaya.

This pivotal step, characterized by President Tshisekedi’s firm commitment to convening a national dialogue, unfolds amidst a complex sociopolitical climate. The nation grapples with a persistent security crisis in Eastern DRC, where Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of backing the AFC/M23 rebellion. Furthermore, the initiative emerges amid strong disagreements surrounding a potential constitutional reform. Opposition factions allege that the ruling majority seeks to amend the Constitution to enable President Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond the two-term limit stipulated by the fundamental law. The government, however, firmly refutes these accusations.

This new political phase also comes as ongoing diplomatic efforts struggle to yield tangible results. The Washington agreements, brokered under the auspices of the United States in an attempt to reconcile Kinshasa and Kigali, along with the Doha process, mediated by Qatar between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion, have yet to significantly improve the situation on the ground. Despite numerous meetings and the dedicated efforts of mediators, conflicts and tensions persist, with all parties continuing to accuse each other of violating peace commitments.

Preceding this development was a series of regional consultations involving heads of state in Burundi, the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), and Angola. Through these discussions, regional leaders expressed their collective determination to assist the Democratic Republic of Congo in overcoming its current challenges. They emphasized the critical importance of preserving national unity to collectively address the country’s development hurdles and safeguard the territorial integrity of the DRC.