- Politique
President Félix Tshisekedi has declared the forthcoming organization of an inclusive and genuinely republican national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This significant announcement followed a meeting held on Friday with representatives from the country’s prominent religious denominations.
During a press briefing subsequent to the President’s declaration, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya affirmed that a presidential ordinance would soon be issued. This decree is set to precisely define the framework, modalities, and detailed organizational aspects of this crucial national dialogue, an initiative that has been sought for several months by a significant segment of the Congolese socio-political landscape.
“The President of the Republic, acting as the guarantor of the nation under Article 69 of the Constitution, will issue an ordinance in the coming days. This document will establish the terms and specific details for how this dialogue will be structured. I reiterate that he himself will oversee the organization of this dialogue, naturally engaging stakeholders including the leaders of religious denominations, to explore how best to foster national cohesion. This involves 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 national unity,” stated Patrick Muyaya.
This pivotal development, highlighting President Tshisekedi’s firm commitment to convening a national dialogue, unfolds amid a complex socio-political climate. The nation is grappling with a persistent security crisis in eastern DRC, where Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of backing the AFC/M23 rebellion. Furthermore, the initiative emerges amidst strong disagreements surrounding a potential constitutional reform. The opposition alleges that the ruling majority intends to amend the Constitution to enable President Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond the two-term limit stipulated by the fundamental law, accusations which the government denies.
This new political phase also comes at a time when ongoing diplomatic efforts have struggled to yield tangible results. Neither the Washington accords, brokered under the auspices of the United States to foster rapprochement between Kinshasa and Kigali, nor the Doha process, mediated by Qatar between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion, have significantly improved 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 stage was a series of regional consultations, notably in Burundi, the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), and Angola. Through these exchanges, various heads of state expressed their readiness to engage and assist the Democratic Republic of Congo in overcoming its current impasse. They underscored the indispensable need to safeguard national unity to collectively address the challenges of national development and uphold the territorial integrity of the DRC.
