President Félix Tshisekedi has announced plans for an upcoming inclusive national dialogue aimed at strengthening the country’s cohesion and addressing ongoing security challenges. This follows a meeting with leaders of major religious denominations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The President emphasized the importance of national unity in tackling the country’s development challenges and safeguarding its territorial integrity.

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed that a presidential decree will soon be issued to define the framework, procedures, and operational details of this long-anticipated dialogue. This decree will be issued in accordance with constitutional provisions that grant the Head of State the authority to organize such national processes.

“The President of the Republic, as guarantor of the nation under Article 69 of the Constitution, will issue an ordinance in the coming days to clarify how this dialogue will be organized. I would like to emphasize that the President himself will lead the organization of this dialogue, with the involvement of religious leaders and other stakeholders to build consensus and promote national cohesion,” Muyaya explained.

This announcement comes at a critical juncture for the DRC, as the country faces persistent security threats in the eastern regions, particularly due to the ongoing conflict involving the M23 rebel group. The crisis has been exacerbated by accusations of foreign interference, with Kinshasa accusing neighboring Rwanda of supporting the rebel faction. Despite regional and international mediation efforts, including the Washington and Doha processes, tangible progress has been limited, and fighting continues in affected areas.

The call for a national dialogue also comes amid growing political tensions surrounding potential constitutional reforms. While the opposition accuses the ruling majority of attempting to amend the Constitution to allow President Tshisekedi to seek a third term, the government has denied these allegations.

The initiative follows a series of high-level consultations with regional leaders in Burundi, the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), and Angola. These engagements reflect a collective regional commitment to supporting the DRC in overcoming its current challenges and preserving national unity.

Clément Muamba