Tshisekedi Launches National Dialogue, Excluding Kabila and M23 Rebels

President Félix Tshisekedi's recent national address has captured the attention of Congolese media, with newspapers offering diverse interpretations of his key announcements regarding a national dialogue.

Congo Nouveau's headline, "Can this exclusive process unite the country? Tshisekedi launches a dialogue without Kabila or M23," highlights the president's decision to exclude former president Joseph Kabila and the M23 rebel movement. The publication points to the "red lines" set by the presidency and questions the dialogue's ability to foster national unity when key political actors are deliberately sidelined. The opposition has already labeled the initiative a "mono-dialogue" or a controlled process.

Actualité.cd focuses on the practical and temporal aspects of the proposed talks, noting the strict three-month limit for the internal forum. It also emphasizes the clear separation between this domestic dialogue and the ongoing diplomatic negotiations in Washington and Doha.

Meanwhile, Le Potentiel champions a sovereignist and diplomatic angle, stressing the government's refusal to legitimize armed groups. The newspaper reiterates the administration's demand for an end to external support for rebels and the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops before any political progress can be made.

Infos27 highlights the government's commitment to citizen inclusion and de-escalation measures. The daily points to a bottom-up approach, starting with provincial consultations before culminating in Kinshasa. It also notes the promise of political détente measures to build trust.

The Agence Congolaise de Presse (ACP) emphasizes institutional commitment and the role of civil society, particularly religious organizations involved in the preparatory commission and the future drafting of a binding national pact.

EcoNews details four non-negotiable conditions set by Tshisekedi: strict exclusion of the M23 rebels (who are directed to the Doha channel), rejection of an overseas dialogue, refusal of any "political market" for power-sharing, and prevention of the talks from becoming a "legal laundry" for criminals. The publication also notes the ascending method, beginning with consultations in 26 provinces before the Kinshasa summit.

Finally, 7sur7.cd focuses on the president's distinction between democratic legitimacy and armed groups, suggesting that the exclusion of rebels is not based on individuals but on their actions.