DR Congo Opposition Rejects Tshisekedi's National Dialogue Proposal

President Felix Tshisekedi launched a national dialogue process on August 27 to promote peace and state rebuilding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initiative involves consultations across 26 provinces and will conclude with national talks in Kinshasa. Tshisekedi explicitly excluded armed groups and those acting for foreign powers, specifically ruling out the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, arguing that a December peace accord signed in Washington provides the appropriate framework for dealing with the group.

The Article 64 coalition, a group of main opposition parties, rejected the proposal on August 28. The coalition views the dialogue as a maneuver to secure a third presidential term via a constitutional amendment, bypassing the current two-term limit. This follows a June bill and a July ruling by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of the Congo that relaxed conditions for organizing referendums.

Opposition forces, supported by the Catholic Church, argue that any inclusive dialogue must include M23 representatives and supporters of former President Joseph Kabila, who was condemned to death in absentia for complicity with M23. In response to the government's actions, the Article 64 coalition scheduled a day of protests for September 15. This follows a suppressed rally in Kinshasa in July that resulted in at least one death. Additionally, the government plans to suspend 11 public universities located in rebel-controlled areas.