Fatshimétrie: A historic meeting between Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi in Genval
Last Saturday in Genval, Belgium, a discreet but highly symbolic meeting took place between two major figures of the Congolese opposition: Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi. This one-and-a-half-hour meeting could well mark a turning point in Congolese politics, given the current context marked by the controversial constitutional revision project supported by President Félix Tshisekedi.
A highly symbolic place for the Congolese opposition, Genval had already witnessed the birth of a coalition against the regime of Joseph Kabila in 2016, led by the late Étienne Tshisekedi. The meeting of Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi is therefore of historic importance, symbolizing the renewed unity of the Congolese opposition in the face of major political challenges.
The rapprochement between the different political forces opposed to the constitutional revision project was initiated by the general secretaries of Martin Fayulu’s ECIDE, Moïse Katumbi’s Ensemble and Joseph Kabila’s PPRD. A joint declaration signed last November categorically rejected any attempt to modify the Constitution, thus emphasizing the desire to coordinate the opposition’s actions against any authoritarian drift.
According to a close friend of Moïse Katumbi, this meeting in Genval could be the prelude to other meetings, involving other opposition leaders and figures. The objective is to strengthen the alliance between political forces sharing the same conviction: that of defending the Constitution in force and preserving Congolese democracy in the face of attempts to remain in power beyond the legally established mandates.
Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi have not yet disclosed the content of the discussions of their tête-à-tête, but their firm opposition to Félix Tshisekedi’s constitutional project is clear. These two political figures have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law and democratic stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This historic meeting in Genval could therefore mark the beginning of a new era for the Congolese opposition, illustrating its ability to unite to face the political and institutional challenges that stand in the way of African democracy.