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 gripping 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’s address to CCU activists centered on the forward-looking question: “What will tomorrow bring?”

Presented as a crucial message from the “Lumumbists of the CCU to the Nation,” his communication extensively covered the persistent security turmoil affecting Eastern DRC for decades.

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

Kigali implicated in drc instability

Lambert Mende directly accused Rwanda of fueling the chronic instability in Eastern DRC. He asserted that various armed factions operating in this region are, based on evidence presented in his speech, proxies for Kigali.

He also recounted the evolving justifications provided over the years by Rwandan President Paul Kagame for his country’s involvement in the DRC, initially citing the presence of the FDLR and the need to protect the Tutsi community in Kivu. Mende argued that these pretexts have gradually morphed into territorial claims, which he deemed irreconcilable with the DRC’s territorial integrity.

Hope persists despite challenges

Despite the dire circumstances, the head of the CCU maintained an optimistic outlook. He highlighted that the international diplomatic pressure exerted on Kigali represents a favorable development for the DRC.

Specifically, he mentioned United States sanctions, viewing them as instrumental in intensifying 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, undermines one of Kigali’s primary arguments for maintaining its forces in Eastern Congo.

National dialogue: CCU sets terms

Addressing the possibility of an inclusive National Dialogue, Lambert Mende acknowledged a nascent consensus among the government, opposition, and civil society regarding the necessity of such a forum.

However, for the CCU, the paramount focus must remain on countering Rwandan aggression and bolstering national cohesion. This implies that the Dialogue should primarily aim to develop and implement robust mechanisms for preventing and protecting against terrorism, “regardless of its origin.”

Nevertheless, Lambert Mende expressed reservations about the participation of individuals legally condemned or internationally sanctioned for collaborating with the aggressor. He also stipulated that members of armed groups actively allied with Rwanda, who do not formally disavow this allegiance, should be excluded from the discussions.

Constitutional reform: Mende urges perspective

Constitutional reform also formed a key part of his address.

The former minister and government spokesperson under Joseph Kabila emphasized the distinction between enacting a referendum law and actually organizing a constitutional referendum. He reminded attendees that a referendum is a popular consultation, a standard feature of constitutional democracy.

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

Tshisekedi’s leadership during aggression

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

The CCU firmly believes that President Tshisekedi should remain in office as long as the Rwandan aggression against the DRC persists. Lambert Mende positioned Félix Tshisekedi as the sole leader, among the four heads of state since 1996, who has, in his assessment, taken decisive political, military, and diplomatic actions against this aggression.

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

“Our common home is burning”

Continuing his appeal for national unity, Lambert Mende implored the Congolese people to temporarily sideline political disagreements, suggesting these can be addressed at a later, more opportune time. He stressed that the immediate priority must be the security and survival of the Congolese state, particularly within the prevailing humanitarian context.

The CCU leader notably referenced the spread of the Ebola virus epidemic in areas situated along the front lines separating Rwandan and Congolese forces in the country’s East.

A call for strategic alliance with the united states

In closing, Lambert Mende voiced his support for President Tshisekedi’s initiative to forge a strategic alliance between the DRC and the United States. He posited that such a partnership could significantly bolster the resilience of the Congolese people and enable the nation to develop a robust power strategy against the multifaceted threats it faces.

“Our common home is burning,” Lambert Mende emphatically declared, urging Congolese citizens to transcend political squabbles and rally around the defense of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

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

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