DR Congo debates inclusion of M23 rebels in upcoming national dialogue

Joseph Olenghankoy, president of the National Monitoring Council for the Electoral Agreement (CNSA), called for an inclusive national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo, insisting it must involve all parties to the political and security crisis, including the M23 rebel group, former President Joseph Kabila, exiled opposition figures and detained personalities. He argued that excluding any stakeholder would undermine the process and urged the selection of a neutral venue and the involvement of religious organisations to prepare the talks.

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya rejected the participation of the M23 in the dialogue, stating that the rebels are already covered by the separate Doha framework and that the internal dialogue should focus on rallying Congolese against what he described as a Rwandan‑backed aggression. Muyaya highlighted the Washington and Doha agreements as the diplomatic tracks addressing the conflict, while the national dialogue is meant solely for internal consensus building.