From Kinshasa, our correspondent Pascal Mulegwa reports on the latest developments.

The C64 coalition has dismissed President Félix Tshisekedi’s proposal for a national dialogue, arguing that it serves as a distraction from the pressing issues facing Congolese citizens. Opposition leaders contend that the initiative lacks genuine inclusivity and fails to address critical national challenges.

After five hours of deliberations, coalition spokesperson Martin Fayulu delivered a unified stance: “The people are not fooled. These repeated consultations by President Tshisekedi do not address the urgency of the conflict, insecurity, health crisis, or the social hardships plaguing our nation. They divert attention from what truly matters.”

Opposition figures accuse President Tshisekedi of prioritizing power retention beyond his constitutionally mandated second term, set to conclude in 2028. “The government cynically exploits the war and eastern DRC’s distress to justify its ambitions,” they argue. “The C64 stands firmly against Félix Tshisekedi’s attempts to prolong his rule and risk further destabilizing the nation.”

In response to these perceived manipulations, the coalition is rallying public support. They have renewed their call for a nationwide protest on September 15 to challenge the government’s tactics.