Former DR Congo president calls for inclusive national dialogue

Former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila says the country’s situation has steadily worsened.

He accuses the government of concentrating power and mismanaging public assets, and says the country is no longer democratic.

Kabila also criticises the government’s handling of fighting in the east, where the Congolese army is fighting AFC/M23 rebels supported by Rwanda.

He says continuing the war will not resolve the country’s political and security problems and calls for an inclusive national dialogue.

President Félix Tshisekedi launched a national dialogue process in August, intended to begin at local levels and then move to national institutions.

Kabila’s political allies object to the process’s format and want guarantees that it will include different groups.

Fighting continues, while mediation efforts by Washington and Doha have yet to reach a conclusion.