DR Congo Opposition Rejects Tshisekedi’s National Dialogue Proposal

A coalition of major opposition groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has rejected President Felix Tshisekedi’s proposal for national dialogue, accusing his administration of using the initiative to advance a political agenda and potentially extend his stay in power.

The Article 64 (A64) coalition, which brings together several leading opposition parties, announced its position on Friday, rejecting what it described as public consultations initiated by Tshisekedi instead of an inclusive national dialogue.

The opposition's rejection comes amid continued fighting in eastern DR Congo and growing political tensions over proposed constitutional changes that could potentially allow Tshisekedi to seek a third presidential term.

Opposition Demands Inclusive Talks

The dispute over who should participate in any national dialogue has emerged as a major obstacle.

Tshisekedi said on Thursday that the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group would not be allowed to participate in the proposed talks, arguing that the Washington peace agreement signed in December provides the appropriate framework for addressing the group's involvement in the conflict.

However, sections of the opposition have insisted that any meaningful national dialogue must include representatives of M23 as well as political forces aligned with former President Joseph Kabila.

The M23 has seized significant territory in eastern DR Congo during years of conflict, while efforts to implement the Washington peace agreement have so far failed to bring a lasting end to the fighting.

Third-Term Debate Fuels Political Tensions

The proposed dialogue comes against the backdrop of a contentious debate over constitutional reform.

Tshisekedi, who was first elected president in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, is currently constitutionally limited to two presidential terms.

Opposition parties have raised concerns that proposed constitutional amendments could create a pathway for Tshisekedi to seek another term.

The A64 coalition said the president's consultation process was part of what it described as efforts to secure a third term.

The coalition has instead called for an inclusive national dialogue involving all major political and armed actors relevant to the country's crisis.

Tshisekedi Calls for Compromise

Tshisekedi has defended the need for political consultations, urging leaders to abandon inflammatory rhetoric and seek compromise.

The president also recently returned a controversial bill concerning referendum rules for a second reading after the Constitutional Court upheld it in July.

The legislation has attracted scrutiny because of its potential implications for the process of constitutional reform.

The opposition maintains that political reforms should not be used to undermine existing constitutional limits on presidential terms.

Opposition Plans September Protest

The political standoff is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

The A64 coalition confirmed on Friday that a planned day of demonstrations against the proposed constitutional changes will take place on September 15, after initially being scheduled for August 15.

Authorities previously suppressed an opposition rally in Kinshasa in July opposing the constitutional amendment. The resulting clashes left several opposition supporters injured, while the United Nations reported that at least one person was killed.

With the opposition now rejecting the proposed national dialogue and preparing for fresh demonstrations, pressure is mounting on Tshisekedi to address concerns over constitutional reform while simultaneously confronting the country's persistent security crisis.

The developments leave DR Congo facing twin challenges: finding a political consensus on its constitutional future and securing a lasting solution to the conflict in the east.