Former Democratic Republic of the Congo president Joseph Kabilla has renewed his call for an inclusive national dialogue, saying the country’s political and security problems cannot be solved through continued fighting in the east.

Kabilla made the remarks on Friday while addressing the Congolese people through the Reconstruct the DRC YouTube channel. He said the situation in the country had “steadily worsened” and criticized the governance of President Félix Tshisekedi.

According to Kabilla, political power is being exercised according to the “sole will of the head of state,” whom he accused of treating the Congo as private property. He also said the system was focused more on preserving the status quo than on improving the welfare of the population.

Kabilla further alleged that the Democratic Republic of the Congo was “no longer a Republic, much less a democratic one,” citing what he described as the institutionalization of tribalism and nepotism. He also accused the authorities of discriminating against minorities, using state power for political purposes and mismanaging public assets and property.

Call for dialogue

Kabilla argued that prolonging the war in eastern DRC would not resolve the country’s wider political and security crisis. He accused Tshisekedi of refusing to engage with initiatives intended to find a political solution.

He said an inclusive national dialogue was needed to reconcile the Congolese people, restore national cohesion and re-establish democracy and the rule of law. “Dialogue is not an option” but rather a necessary path to restoring peace and strengthening national cohesion, Kabilla said.

In May last year, Kabilla presented a 12-point plan that included ending the war, restoring state authority and the rule of law, reconciling communities, neutralizing armed groups and withdrawing foreign troops.

Dispute over the national process

President Tshisekedi officially launched a National Dialogue for Peace, Cohesion, and the Refounding of the State in August. The presidency said the process would begin at the grassroots level before moving to national institutions and would last a maximum of three months.

However, Kabilla’s political allies have challenged the modalities of the process and are seeking guarantees that it will be inclusive. The format has been described as divisive, although the specific disputed elements were not detailed.

The call for dialogue comes as fighting continues in eastern DRC between the Congolese army and AFC/M23 rebels supported by Rwanda. Mediation efforts led through Washington and Doha have been struggling to reach a conclusion.

Kabilla’s criticisms and allegations were reported without a response from Tshisekedi or his government.