Drc: presidential ordinance to outline national dialogue framework, says muyaya

President Félix Tshisekedi has announced the upcoming launch of a comprehensive and genuinely republican national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This declaration followed a meeting held on Friday with key representatives from the nation’s major religious denominations. 

Following this significant announcement, the government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, held a press briefing where he confirmed that a presidential ordinance would soon be issued. This decree will precisely define the framework, operational modalities, and specific organizational details for the national dialogue, a process that has been widely called for by a substantial segment 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 outlining the terms and specific arrangements for how this dialogue will be organized. I reiterate that he will personally spearhead the organization of this dialogue, naturally involving stakeholders, including religious leaders, to foster cohesion by bringing together Congolese men and women from all walks of life who, like us, are driven by the desire to end aggression and ensure national unity for our country,” Patrick Muyaya stated.

This pivotal development, marked by President Tshisekedi’s firm commitment to convening a national dialogue, unfolds against a complex sociopolitical backdrop. The nation is grappling with a persistent security crisis in eastern DRC, where Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of providing support to the AFC/M23 rebellion. Furthermore, the political climate is characterized by significant disagreements surrounding a potential constitutional reform. The opposition alleges that the ruling majority intends to amend the Constitution to allow President Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond the two-term limit stipulated by the fundamental law, accusations vehemently denied by the government.

This new political phase also emerges as ongoing diplomatic initiatives struggle to yield concrete results. The Washington accords, brokered by the United States in an effort 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 bring about a meaningful improvement in 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.

Moreover, this critical juncture was preceded by a series of regional consultations involving leaders from Burundi, the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), and Angola. During these discussions, the heads of state collectively expressed their readiness to engage in efforts aimed at assisting the Democratic Republic of Congo in overcoming its current impasse. They emphasized the crucial importance of preserving national unity to collectively address the country’s development challenges and safeguard the territorial integrity of the DRC.