Kinshasa Reaffirms Stance Against AFC/M23 Participation in National Dialogue

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has firmly stated that the AFC/M23 rebels will not be included in the upcoming national dialogue. Kinshasa argues that the group is already being addressed through the Doha process, which is specifically designed to handle rebel-related protocols.

Muyaya clarified that the government is engaged in distinct diplomatic channels: the Washington process, focused on Rwanda, and the Doha process, focused on the M23. He stressed that these are security-related frameworks, whereas the national dialogue proposed by President Tshisekedi is intended to build a united domestic front against foreign aggression.

The push for a national dialogue occurs amid significant political tension in the DRC, including opposition fears of potential constitutional reform aimed at extending the President's term limits. Meanwhile, existing international diplomatic efforts in Washington and Doha have yet to resolve the persistent security crisis in the eastern region.