President Félix Tshisekedi has declared the imminent launch of an inclusive and genuinely republican national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This significant announcement was made on Friday, following a crucial meeting with representatives from the nation’s leading religious confessions.

During a press briefing held after the presidential declaration, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed that a presidential ordinance would soon be issued. This decree is set to meticulously define the framework, specific modalities, and comprehensive details for organizing the anticipated national dialogue, a process that a substantial segment of the Congolese socio-political class has advocated for months.

“As the guarantor of the nation, under Article 69 of the Constitution, the President of the Republic is acting in this capacity. Therefore, in the coming days, he will issue an ordinance that will establish the terms and specifics of how this dialogue will be structured. I reiterate that he himself will be at the helm of organizing this dialogue, naturally involving the heads of religious confessions to explore avenues for building this 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 our country’s national unity,” stated Patrick Muyaya.

This pivotal development, underscored by President Tshisekedi’s firm commitment to convening a DRC national dialogue, unfolds amidst a complex socio-political landscape. The nation seeks consensus to address the persistent security crisis plaguing eastern DRC, where Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of backing the AFC/M23 rebellion. Furthermore, the dialogue aims to navigate the profound disagreements surrounding a potential constitutional reform. The opposition has voiced concerns that the ruling majority intends to alter the Constitution, potentially allowing President Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond the constitutionally stipulated two-term limit—an allegation vehemently denied by the government.

This new political phase also emerges as ongoing diplomatic initiatives struggle to yield concrete results. Efforts such as the Washington agreements, brokered by the United States to foster rapprochement between 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.

This crucial step was also preceded by a series of regional consultations involving leaders from Burundi, the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), and Angola. Through these discussions, the various heads of state expressed their collective willingness to engage and assist the Democratic Republic of Congo in overcoming its current impasse. They emphasized the vital importance of preserving national unity to collectively confront the country’s development challenges and uphold the territorial integrity of the DRC.