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DRC Confirms National Dialogue for Congolese, Excludes AFC/M23; Announces Progress in Preparations

MINEMBWE CAPITAL NEWS

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reaffirmed that the forthcoming national dialogue intended to bring together Congolese stakeholders will not include the AFC/M23 (Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23) coalition. According to the government, AFC/M23 is already participating in a separate negotiation process taking place in Doha, Qatar, and therefore will not be incorporated into the domestic dialogue.

The announcement was made by the DRC Government Spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, during a press briefing focused on the security situation in the eastern part of the country. He stated that the Kinshasa government has decided that the national dialogue will bring together only domestic stakeholders, including political actors, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and other national partners, while AFC/M23 will continue to be addressed through the Doha negotiations.

Following a meeting between President Félix Tshisekedi and leaders of various churches and religious denominations, a decision was reached to organize a national dialogue aimed at fostering consensus among Congolese citizens and strengthening national unity.

Although the official date for the start of the dialogue has not yet been announced, the DRC government says preparations are progressing and that the consultations are expected to take place in the near future after the completion of participant invitations and organizational arrangements.

Sources in Kinshasa indicate that the government is continuing consultations with various stakeholders, including religious institutions, political parties, and civil society organizations, in order to finalize the list of participants and determine the agenda for the talks.

Political analysts say the government’s primary objective is to build what it describes as a “Front intérieur”—an internal national front designed to strengthen unity among Congolese citizens in response to the persistent security challenges affecting eastern DRC.

Patrick Muyaya emphasized that AFC/M23 is already engaged in the Doha peace process facilitated by the State of Qatar and therefore should not be included in the national Congolese dialogue.

He explained that the DRC government is pursuing two distinct diplomatic and political tracks:

• The Washington Agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, aimed at addressing bilateral tensions and security concerns between the two countries;
• The Doha negotiations between the DRC Government and AFC/M23, which focus on issues such as a ceasefire, the release of detainees, and the implementation of other agreed commitments.

According to Muyaya, the national dialogue serves a different purpose—strengthening domestic cohesion and national unity—and, for that reason, AFC/M23 will not participate.

He stated:

“AFC/M23 is already part of the Doha negotiation framework. It has no connection with the national dialogue among Congolese. Would you also expect Rwanda to participate in discussions whose purpose is to build internal national unity among Congolese?”

The government’s position comes amid ongoing debate over the most effective path toward achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC. While some observers argue that an inclusive national dialogue should involve all parties to the conflict, the Kinshasa administration maintains that AFC/M23 already has a dedicated negotiation platform in Doha and should not be included in a separate domestic process.

This development also comes as both the Washington Agreement and the Doha negotiations continue to face implementation challenges, with armed clashes and tensions still being reported in several parts of eastern DRC despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Political analysts believe the planned national dialogue will represent a significant test for President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, particularly in its efforts to build political consensus at a time when the country continues to face security challenges, governance debates, and discussions surrounding constitutional reform.

Minembwe Capital News