From the heart of the United Nations Security Council, MONUSCO chief James Swan delivered a powerful political message to Kinshasa this Friday. He urged all Congolese stakeholders to find common ground on the framework for an inclusive national dialogue, while emphasizing the critical need to safeguard civic space and fundamental freedoms—particularly freedom of expression and assembly—so that every voice can be heard in a “peaceful and secure” environment.

The UN diplomat’s appeal carries particular weight amid deep national divisions over constitutional reform, especially following the recent attack on the headquarters of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO) by government supporters in Kinshasa.

On the security front, Swan commended the establishment of a national commission to oversee security sector reform, as well as the ongoing development of the country’s first-ever national security policy, spearheaded by the presidency.