Politics · DRC opposition boycotts dialogueOpposition boycott tests Tshisekedi’s national dialogueAired August 30, 2026 at 7:44 AM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00The first organized response to President Felix Chisegedi's proposed national0:04dialogue is a boycott.0:05A five-party opposition coalition, including Martin Feyulu and Moise Katumbi, says0:09the process is controlled by the presidency and is not sufficiently inclusive.0:13It is maintaining plans for a September 15th march.0:16Chishakedi says consultations will cover all 26 provinces before culminating in0:20Kinshasa, with the entire process lasting no more than three months.0:24Political parties, civil society, religious and traditional leaders, and women's and0:28youth groups are among those invited.0:30But crucial rules remain unpublished.0:32Presidential ordinances are still expected to define the organizing committee,0:36representation, and follow-up.0:38Any resulting national pact would not automatically become law.0:42Existing constitutional institutions would have to enact its recommendations.0:46AFC M23 is excluded from the domestic dialogue while it remains armed and controls0:51territory.0:51Negotiations with the rebels instead continue through the separate Doha Track, while0:55Washington addresses tensions between Congo and Rwanda.0:58That division exposes the dialogue's central limit.1:01It may address governance, inequality, land disputes, and institutional reform, but1:06it cannot by itself end the Eastern War or enforce decisions in rebel-held areas.1:11Its credibility now depends on whether the unpublished rules can attract broader1:15participation and whether parallel peace talks can produce security on the ground.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗