Félix Tshisekedi: Ordonnance Dialogue National Contestée Sparks RDC Opposition

• President Félix Tshisekedi issued an ordinance on September 13 establishing a preliminary organizing committee for a national dialogue aimed at peace, cohesion, and state refoundation.
• The committee and its technical secretariat, comprising 11 experts, are entirely appointed by and operate under the direct authority of the President.
• Opposition figures like Emery Okundji (FONUS) and Jean-Claude Katende (ASADHO) immediately criticized the ordinance, citing concerns about single-party control and the President's significant influence.
• The "Sauvons la RDC" movement, linked to former President Joseph Kabila, also rejected the ordinance, denouncing the discretionary power it grants to President Tshisekedi.
• Critics argue that the centralized control undermines the dialogue's impartiality and could jeopardize the legitimacy of its outcomes.

He argued that a process intended to resolve the DRC's profound crisis cannot be organized, composed, and controlled by a single entity, even if that entity is the presidency itself.

President Félix Tshisekedi's recent presidential ordinance, which establishes a preliminary organizing committee for a national dialogue, has immediately sparked significant opposition and debate across the Democratic Republic of Congo's political landscape and civil society. The decree, read publicly on Sunday, September 13, aims to foster peace, cohesion, and a refoundation of the state through this dialogue process. However, its very structure has led to widespread concerns regarding its impartiality and the extent of presidential influence. This `Tshisekedi ordonnance dialogue national contestée` has quickly become a focal point for critics.

On Monday, September 14, Emery Okundji, the Secretary-General of the opposition political party FONUS and a member of the Coalition Article 64 (C64), voiced strong objections. He argued that a process intended to resolve the DRC's profound crisis cannot be organized, composed, and controlled by a single entity, even if that entity is the presidency itself. This sentiment highlights a core concern among the `RDC dialogue national opposition`: the perceived lack of inclusivity and potential for manipulation.

Further reservations were expressed by Jean-Claude Katende, President of ASADHO, who indicated that the framework laid out by President Tshisekedi suggests the country is moving in an "unfavorable direction." Katende specifically pointed to the substantial control the President would exert over the entire process. He stated his intention to await the appointment of the committee's leaders before fully assessing the ultimate orientation of the dialogue, underscoring the deep skepticism about its independence.

The preliminary organizing committee for the national dialogue, created by President Félix Tshisekedi on Sunday, September 13, is designed to operate under the direct authority of the President of the Republic. This `Comité d’organisation dialogue RDC` is composed of a coordinator, a deputy coordinator, and several members, all of whom are to be appointed directly by the President. The ordinance further specifies that the President retains the power to add any individual or personality whose expertise is deemed necessary to the committee, reinforcing the centralized control.

Attached to this primary committee is a technical secretariat, comprising eleven experts. Like the committee members, these experts are also designated by the President of the Republic. Their responsibilities include preparing meetings and working documents, conducting necessary studies and analyses, and centralizing contributions gathered from various consultations. This structure, outlined in the `Félix Tshisekedi décret dialogue`, places significant operational and intellectual control within the presidential sphere.

The ordinance explicitly mandates that the committee will carry out its mission under the direct authority of the President. Furthermore, it is required to report regularly on the progress of its work to the President through his chief of staff. This reporting mechanism, as clarified by presidential spokesperson Tina Salama, underscores the direct line of accountability and oversight from the head of state, leaving little room for independent action or decision-making by the committee itself.

The significant presidential oversight embedded within the `critique ordonnance dialogue national` has fueled concerns about the dialogue's legitimacy and potential outcomes. Critics argue that by centralizing all appointments and maintaining direct authority, President Tshisekedi risks undermining the very purpose of a national dialogue, which ideally requires broad consensus and independent facilitation to address deep-seated national issues.

The objections raised by `Emery Okundji dialogue RDC` and `Jean-Claude Katende ordonnance` are echoed by the movement "Sauvons la RDC," which is associated with former President Joseph Kabila. This movement has also outright rejected the ordinance establishing the preliminary organizing committee. Their primary contention revolves around the "discretionary power" they believe is granted to President Félix Tshisekedi in orchestrating this crucial national process. Such extensive presidential control, they argue, could compromise the dialogue's ability to genuinely represent diverse national interests and achieve lasting solutions for peace and state refoundation.

The collective apprehension from various political and civil society actors suggests that the current framework for the national dialogue may struggle to gain widespread acceptance and trust. The perception of a process controlled by a single party or individual could lead to challenges regarding the validity of any resolutions or reforms that emerge, potentially exacerbating political instability rather than resolving it.

This contested presidential ordinance establishing the national dialogue committee indicates potential political instability and challenges to the legitimacy of any future legal or constitutional reforms emerging from the dialogue. Lawyers advising clients in the DRC should monitor this process closely for its implications on policy stability, investment climate, and the potential for legal challenges to its outcomes.

Source: Original reporting via Actualite.cd