DRC: FCC Calls for Broad Dialogue and De-escalation Measures

The Common Front for Congo (FCC) has set conditions for taking part in a national dialogue proposed by President Félix Tshisekedi. According to Marie-Ange Mushobekwa, spokeswoman for the coalition, the FCC accepts the principle of dialogue but wants it to be inclusive and held outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The platform of former president Joseph Kabila is also calling for measures to ease political tensions. In comments reported by RFI, the FCC maintains this demand within the framework of the planned discussions.

Two approaches to dialogue

In an address to the nation last Thursday, Félix Tshisekedi proposed a national dialogue open to the opposition. However, the head of state excluded M23 rebels and individuals he describes as acting on behalf of Rwanda from the initiative.

The FCC’s position therefore differs on two explicitly stated points: the scope of participants, with the coalition calling for talks involving “everyone”, and the venue, which it wants to be set outside the country.

Political context

Joseph Kabila has been living in exile since his death sentence for treason in Kinshasa, handed down a year earlier, according to RFI. His coalition’s position was conveyed by Marie-Ange Mushobekwa, interviewed in Paris by the French radio station.

The available information does not specify the concrete de-escalation measures sought by the FCC, nor the response of the Congolese authorities to these requests. It also does not make it possible to establish whether the conditions put forward by the coalition could be incorporated into the initiative announced by Félix Tshisekedi.