President Tshisekedi warns against using dialogue to undermine democratic institutions in DRC
President Tshisekedi warns against using dialogue to undermine democratic institutions in DRC
President Tshisekedi’s Independence Day Address: A Call for Responsible Dialogue and National Unity
- Politics
On the eve of the 66th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s independence, President Félix Tshisekedi delivered a national address emphasizing the critical importance of responsible dialogue, institutional integrity, and national unity. The head of state firmly rejected any attempts to manipulate dialogue as a tool for political pressure or to circumvent constitutional processes.
In a sweeping address to the nation delivered on June 29, 2026, ahead of Independence Day celebrations, President Félix Tshisekedi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful dialogue while setting clear boundaries regarding its parameters.
The President stressed that while the Republic remains open to dialogue with all citizens committed to peace and institutional respect, such discussions must never be allowed to undermine the fundamental pillars of Congolese democracy.
« The Republic welcomes dialogue with all its children who choose the path of peace, dialogue, and respect for institutions. However, dialogue cannot be diverted from its true purpose. It must never become an instrument of pressure, a means to bypass institutions, or a vehicle to challenge the expressed will of the people as enshrined in our Constitution and laws, » declared President Tshisekedi.
Addressing the ongoing political tensions surrounding potential constitutional amendments, the President unequivocally condemned the use of violence and armed rebellion as acceptable forms of political expression.
« I must emphasize with the utmost firmness that violence, armed rebellion, hatred, disinformation, or any attempt to undermine our sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot constitute legitimate political expression. Such actions cannot grant any special rights to negotiation nor elevate those who threaten the Republic above those who uphold its laws, » he stated.
The head of state also underscored the principle of popular sovereignty, asserting that ultimate authority resides solely with the Congolese people.
« The Congolese people are the sole sovereign. No one can claim to speak for the Nation against the Nation itself. No one can purport to defend democracy while rejecting its foundational principles: free debate, institutional respect, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and accountability to the people, » he continued.
President Tshisekedi called for national unity in the face of existential threats, urging all political, religious, economic, media, and civil society actors to exercise restraint and responsibility.
« We may debate, diverge, and oppose within the republican framework. However, we have no right to weaken the Nation at a time when it faces existential threats. In the face of our country’s challenges, national unity is not an option—it is a historical imperative and an absolute necessity! » he emphasized.
The President’s address comes amid deep political divisions regarding the framework for a national dialogue. While the government advocates for a dialogue strictly aligned with republican institutions and excluding any challenge to constitutional order, opposition groups and civil society organizations continue to demand an inclusive process under the auspices of religious leaders, particularly the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC).
Religious leaders have proposed mechanisms for transitional justice and called for urgent consultations to prevent the entrenchment of armed groups in occupied territories. Meanwhile, diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha continue without yielding significant improvements in security conditions in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
