President Tshisekedi to outline national dialogue framework via presidential decree in DRC

President Félix Tshisekedi has announced the upcoming launch of an inclusive and profoundly republican national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This significant development followed a meeting held on Friday with representatives from the DRC’s leading religious confessions. 

Following this announcement, the government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, clarified during a press briefing that a presidential ordinance would be issued to establish the precise framework, operational modalities, and detailed organization of this crucial national dialogue. This initiative has been a long-standing demand from a substantial 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, in the coming days, issue an ordinance to define the terms and specifics of how this dialogue will be structured. I emphasize that he himself will be at the helm of organizing this dialogue, naturally engaging various stakeholders, including the leaders of religious confessions, to explore how best to cultivate national cohesion. This involves bringing together Congolese men and women from all walks of life who, like us, are driven by the desire to end aggression and ensure our country’s national unity,” stated Patrick Muyaya.

This pivotal step, marked by President Tshisekedi’s firm commitment to convening a national dialogue, unfolds within a complex socio-political environment. The nation continues to grapple with a persistent security crisis in Eastern DRC, where Kinshasa maintains that Rwanda is supporting the AFC/M23 rebellion. Furthermore, the political climate is characterized by sharp disagreements surrounding a potential constitutional reform. The opposition alleges that the ruling majority seeks to amend the Constitution to enable President Tshisekedi to extend his tenure beyond the two-term limit stipulated by the fundamental law, accusations which the government vehemently denies.

This new political phase also emerges as ongoing diplomatic efforts struggle to yield tangible results. Both the Washington accords, brokered under the auspices of the United States of America in an attempt to reconcile Kinshasa and Kigali, and 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.

Prior to this announcement, a series of regional consultations took place, 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 critical importance of preserving national unity to collectively address the nation’s development challenges and safeguard the DRC’s territorial integrity.