The leader of the C64 opposition coalition in the DRC, Martin Fayulu, is calling for former President Joseph Kabila and AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa to be invited to the national dialogue announced by President Félix Tshisekedi.
Fayulu said that both Kabila and Nangaa should participate in the dialogue, which aims to find solutions to the political and security challenges that have plagued the DRC for years.
Speaking in Paris, France, Fayulu said Kabila should be given an opportunity to respond to allegations linking him to the insecurity in eastern DRC.
The DRC government accuses Kabila of being involved with AFC/M23, while a court sentenced him to death after finding him guilty in absentia of treason and involvement in the conflict in eastern DRC.
Fayulu said the allegations against Kabila should not prevent him from taking part in the dialogue. Instead, he argued, the talks would give Kabila an opportunity to explain his alleged role in the conflict.
“They say he is supplying weapons and supporting AFC/M23, but he should come and tell us why he is doing it and what issue he is fighting over,” Fayulu said.
Fayulu said that Corneille Nangaa, the former head of the DRC’s electoral commission (CENI), should also participate in the dialogue to explain why he joined the armed rebellion.
He said: “Nangaa was the president of the Independent Electoral Commission; he was the one who declared Tshisekedi the winner, even though Tshisekedi was not the winner. He is now here, having taken up arms against the country.”
Nangaa left his position as head of CENI in October 2021 and later became the coordinator of AFC/M23, an alliance that controls large parts of eastern DRC.
President Tshisekedi said he will soon address the Congolese people in detail to explain the framework and objectives of the national dialogue.
He made the remarks in Libreville, Gabon, during a meeting with Congolese living in the country.
“In the coming days, I will speak to the Congolese people to explain the key aspects and structure of this dialogue. But for now, I can tell you that this dialogue will be completely different from all the dialogues that have previously taken place in our country,” he said.
The dialogue comes amid ongoing debate in the DRC over possible amendments to the Constitution.
The Constitutional Court in the DRC has ruled that the proposed referendum law is in line with the Constitution. However, opposition figures argue that it could pave the way for constitutional amendments, potentially allowing President Félix Tshisekedi to seek another term in 2028.
The C64 opposition coalition, which includes politicians such as Martin Fayulu, Jean-Marc Kabund, Moïse Katumbi, Augustin Matata Ponyo, and Delly Sessanga, announced that it will organize nationwide peaceful protests on September 15, 2026, against plans to amend the Constitution.
