# DR Congo dialogue inclusion debate intensifies > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dr-congo-national-dialogue-inclusion-debate > Updated: 2026-08-06T22:12:49.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 6. President Félix Tshisekedi’s push for an all‑inclusive national dialogue continues to spark fierce disagreement over the role of the M23 rebels. On 25 July, the Rassemblement des compagnons d’Étienne Tshisekedi (RCET‑CPS), represented by Jean‑Pierre Lisanga Bonganga, warned that M23 serves Rwandan interests and condemned any participation as an extension of Rwanda’s aggression, invoking the memory of the conflict’s death toll. Opposition leader Martin Fayulu of the ECiDé set three non‑negotiable conditions – no territorial division, no constitutional changes, and a truly national conversation – and warned that if the dialogue is not convened by 15 August his coalition will resume its activities, insisting that armed groups be treated as belligerents alongside civil society and political parties. On 6 August, UDPS secretary‑general Augustin Kabuya stressed that President Tshisekedi’s authority rests on a broad coalition, not solely on the UDPS, and cautioned against conflating the party with the “Union sacrée” that underpins the current majority. RCET‑CPS accused the “Sauvons la RDC” platform and the C64 of acting as political arms of the M23 movement, criticised their participation conditions for blurring the line between the official dialogue and the Sun City inter‑Congolese talks, and linked them to actors allied with Rwanda. Despite these accusations, RCET‑CPS reaffirmed its support for the president‑led dialogue and called for any release of political detainees to be considered individually. The debate remains centred on the scope of participation, external influences and the credibility of the promised dialogue. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: DRC coalition under strain as UDPS chief warns of confusion and opposition links rivals to M23 UDPS chief Augustin Kabuya stresses Congo’s power rests on a coalition, not just his party, while RCET‑CPS accuses “Sauvons la RDC” and C64 of being political arms of rebel M23 amid the president’s national‑di​ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/drc-coalition-under-strain-as-udps-chief-warns-of-confusion-and-opposition-links-rivals-to-m23 ### 2026-08-01: Democratic Republic of Congo faces entrenched M23 rebel standoff and uneven justice Analyst Christian Moleka says DRC’s opposition concessions reflect a fragile dialogue amid M23 rebel strength, while lawyer Lilas Sansa decries uneven justice for Roger Lumbala versus Jean‑Pierre Bemba. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-republic-of-congo-faces-entrenched-m23-rebel-standoff-and-uneven-justice ### 2026-07-30: DR Congo debates inclusion of M23 rebels in upcoming national dialogue Congo officials clash over whether M23 rebels should join a national dialogue, with calls for inclusion facing government rejection citing separate diplomatic tracks. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dr-congo-debates-inclusion-of-m23-rebels-in-upcoming-national-dialogue ### 2026-07-25: DRC National Dialogue Faces Opposition Over M23 Rebel Participation Congolese opposition groups reject M23 rebel participation in the planned national dialogue, demanding an inclusive, non‑balkanising process and warning of renewed activity after August 15. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/drc-national-dialogue-faces-opposition-over-m23-rebel-participation ### 2026-07-23: Lambert Mende on DRC National Dialogue and Inclusion of M23 Groups Lambert Mende said President Tshisekedi hasn't excluded M23 or “Sauvons la RDC” but demands they renounce ties to Rwanda; he noted growing relief and consensus around the announced DRC national dialogue. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lambert-mende-on-drc-national-dialogue-and-inclusion-of-m23-groups ### 2026-07-21: Tshisekedi urges inclusive dialogue to end eastern DRC conflict President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC has called for an inclusive national dialogue on the eastern conflict, seeking participation from opposition, rebels, and regional actors, with support from political party 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dr-congo-opposition-calls-for-inclusive-national-dialogue-with-all-armed-groups --- Cite as: DR Congo dialogue inclusion debate intensifies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dr-congo-national-dialogue-inclusion-debate