Congo’s National Dialogue Gets an Organising Committee Appointed Entirely by the President
A presidential ordinance of 13 September 2026 created the organising committee for Congo's national dialogue, with every member appointed by the head of state. The post Congo’s National Dialogue Gets an Organising Committee Appointed Entirely by the President appeared first on The Rio Times .
On 13 September 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo's president, Felix Tshisekedi, established a committee to organise the country's national dialogue. The committee's coordinator, deputy coordinator, and all eleven members are appointed directly by the head of state. The technical secretariat, comprising eleven experts, also falls under the presidency's control.
This preliminary organising committee is tasked with overseeing consultations across Congo's 26 provinces and subsequent national assemblies in Kinshasa, all within a maximum timeframe of three months. The dialogue focuses on fostering peace, cohesion, and the refounding of the state. However, the composition of this committee has sparked controversy among critics who argue that a body appointed solely by one office cannot effectively convene a national conversation.
They also contend that excluding certain groups, particularly armed factions like the AFC and M23, undermines the dialogue's legitimacy. The Catholic bishops' conference has also weighed in, despite circulating a statement attributed to them that criticises the dialogue, which fact-checkers have determined is unrelated to the recent process.
The committee's structure and the involvement of armed groups remain subjects of debate, with concerns raised about the potential for the dialogue to become a mere government consultation rather than a comprehensive national discussion.
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