“Franck Diongo calls for an inclusive dialogue for a political transition in the DRC: Towards a peaceful and democratic solution?”

Title: Franck Diongo calls for an inclusive dialogue for a political transition in the DRC

Introduction :

Since the December 2020 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many political actors have sought to join the ranks of power. Among them, Franck Diongo, president of the Progressive Lumumbist Movement (MLP), publishes a declaration from Paris calling for an inclusive dialogue to organize a political transition and prepare credible and transparent elections. In this article, we will explore the motivations of Franck Diongo and the challenges of such a dialogue.

A call for inclusive dialogue:

Having participated in the presidential election of December 2020 but not having obtained the expected results, Franck Diongo claims that his victory was stolen and that the results proclaimed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) do not reflect the will of the people . It is in this context that he calls for dialogue with all stakeholders of the Congolese nation.

According to Franck Diongo, this inclusive dialogue should involve the political opposition having participated in the electoral process with Moïse Katumbi, the political opposition having boycotted the electoral process with Joseph Kabila, the armed opposition represented by the Congo River Alliance (AFC) and other armed groups, civil society represented by Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as the government of Félix Tshisekedi.

Challenges and issues of an inclusive dialogue:

Franck Diongo’s call for an inclusive dialogue raises several challenges and issues. First of all, it is about bringing together political actors with often divergent interests and finding consensus around key issues such as organizing a political transition and holding credible elections.

Then, it is important to establish a fair participation mechanism for all stakeholders, in order to avoid any form of marginalization or imbalance in the decision-making process.

Finally, an inclusive dialogue should also address issues of security and regional cooperation, particularly with regard to armed groups operating in eastern DRC and relations with neighboring countries.

President Tshisekedi’s firm position:

Despite this call for dialogue, President Félix Tshisekedi has firmly expressed his desire not to negotiate with the M23 rebel movement and Rwanda, as long as the latter occupies part of Congolese territory. President Tshisekedi insists on the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC, and underlines the need for the cessation of hostilities and the return of refugees before beginning any negotiations.

Conclusion :

Franck Diongo’s call for inclusive dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the challenges and issues facing the country to achieve a peaceful and democratic political transition. The search for political consensus and the inclusion of all voices in the decision-making process are essential to building a stable and prosperous future for the Congolese people. It remains to be seen whether this call will be heard and whether an inclusive dialogue can ultimately take place.