Ferdinand Kambere, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), the political party of former Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila, has expressed concerns over the planned inclusive national dialogue that is expected to bring together opposition groups and other stakeholders critical of President Félix Tshisekedi’s government.
Kambere argued that the recent announcement by Catholic bishops that President Félix Tshisekedi had agreed to an inclusive national dialogue with the opposition appeared to be an attempt to use the clergy to derail the protests scheduled for July 22, 2026.
Opposition groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have called for nationwide demonstrations on July 22, 2026, to protest President Tshisekedi’s leadership and what they describe as efforts to amend the country’s Constitution.
According to Kambere, Tshisekedi has not genuinely committed to the proposed dialogue but is instead using the bishops to advance his political agenda. He argued that if the president had truly endorsed the talks, he would have announced the decision himself.
“We wanted him to announce it himself,” Kambere said. “Instead, they chose to use Cardinal Ambongo.”
The proposed dialogue is intended to address political and governance challenges facing the DRC.
It is expected to bring together opposition leaders, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss ways to improve governance and find solutions to the country’s ongoing political and social challenges.
Despite the announcement, Prince Epenge, President of the ADD Congo party, said the statements made by Catholic bishops and Protestant pastors would not stop the planned protests, arguing that the issues driving the demonstrations remain unresolved.
He added that while they oppose the armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), they are equally determined to resist efforts to amend the country’s Constitution.
“We are fighting the armed groups in the east, as well as the gang of criminals in Kinshasa made up of those seeking to change the Constitution,” Epenge said.
Kambere also accused President Félix Tshisekedi of showing an increasing desire to consolidate power by seeking constitutional changes, insisting that the Constitution should not be amended.
He further condemned what he described as Tshisekedi’s authoritarian rule, which he said had led to the arrest of several senior leaders of the PPRD. Those detained include the party’s Secretary-General, Ramazani Shadary, and its Vice President, Aubin Minaku. Meanwhile, former President Joseph Kabila, who is currently living in exile, has reportedly been sentenced to death in absentia.
