DRC's C64 Coalition links dialogue participation to renouncing constitutional revision

The C64 Coalition has declared that credible political dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo can only occur if the President publicly and permanently abandons his plan to revise the constitution. The coalition announced this stance on Thursday in Kinshasa, emphasizing that the proposed constitutional changes are divisive for the nation.

Jean-Marc Kabund, speaking for the C64, asserted that the Congolese crisis is systemic, encompassing military, security, governance, institutional legitimacy, and constitutional issues. He argued that war is a tragic consequence, not the cause, of this deep-rooted crisis. The coalition believes resolving the crisis requires prioritizing political dialogue and strengthening national cohesion.

During discussions with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also chairs the African Union, Congolese authorities were encouraged to favor political dialogue and national unity. Ndayishimiye sought the C64's perspective on potential dialogue pathways. The coalition reiterated that past initiatives in Nairobi, Luanda, Doha, and Washington failed because they focused primarily on military and diplomatic aspects, neglecting the fundamental political and institutional causes.

The C64 Coalition insists that abandoning the constitutional revision project is essential to pave the way for inclusive dialogue. They view the current crisis as multidimensional, extending beyond the armed conflict in the eastern regions, and cannot be solely reduced to that aspect. The group stresses that addressing the systemic issues is paramount for any meaningful progress.