Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) President Joseph Kabila has called for an inclusive national dialogue to address the country’s political and security crises, accusing the government of President Félix Tshisekedi of undermining democratic governance.
Kabila made the call on Friday while addressing the Congolese people through his YouTube channel, Reconstruct the DRC, where he said the situation in the country had “steadily worsened”.
Although he did not mention Tshisekedi by name, the former president criticised what he described as the concentration of power in the hands of the head of state, accusing the government of treating the country as private property.
“This has resulted in a system of governance more concerned with maintaining the status quo than with the welfare of the people,” he said.
Kabila also alleged that the country was no longer functioning as a democratic republic, citing what he described as the institutionalisation of tribalism and nepotism.
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He further accused the government of discriminating against minorities, using state power for political purposes and mismanaging public assets.
On the security situation in eastern DR Congo, Kabila argued that continued military operations alone would not resolve the country’s political and security challenges.
He accused Tshisekedi of refusing to engage in initiatives aimed at finding a political solution to the crisis, insisting that dialogue was essential to restoring peace and strengthening national cohesion.
“Dialogue is not an option,” Kabila said, describing it as a necessary path towards national reconciliation.
The former president referred to initiatives by regional organisations in eastern, southern and central Africa, as well as the African Union and some partner countries, as possible avenues for resolving the crisis.
His latest statement followed Tshisekedi’s launch in August of a proposed National Dialogue for Peace, Cohesion and the Refounding of the State.
According to the presidency, the process was expected to last no more than three months, beginning at the grassroots level before progressing to national institutions.
However, the proposed format has drawn criticism from Kabila’s political allies, who have challenged the modalities and called for guarantees that the dialogue would be inclusive.
Meanwhile, fighting has continued between the Congolese army and the AFC/M23 rebel group in the country’s east, with Rwanda accused of supporting the rebels. Kigali has faced repeated allegations over its role in the conflict.
Mediation efforts led by the United States and Qatar have also yet to produce a comprehensive resolution to the crisis.
Africanews
