Kinshasa, August 30th, 2026 (CPA). –The United States have been the first country to react immediately to the Dialogue initiative announced to the nation on July 27th by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi. The US reaction sends a strong signal, in the view of partners involved in the various diplomatic mechanisms seeking a lasting solution to the conflicts fuelled for decades by Rwanda and its proxies in eastern Congo. Washington promised its support for the Congolese President’s announcement via a post on the X account of President Donald Trump’s Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs. “An inclusive and constructive dialogue can constitute (in DRC) an important step towards building trust, promoting peace (…) and taking into account the aspirations of the Congolese people,” has written Massad Boulos, thereby recognizing the sovereignty of DRC.
The Dialogue, “a sovereign initiative”
The National Dialogue “in development” in Lumumba’s country is an initiative “conceived by the Congolese and conducted on national territory”, according to the Head of State. The discussions that will follow “will be guided exclusively by the higher interests of the nation”, he has specified in his address. Consequently, are excluded any “negotiations with the aggressor” or its proxies, and any “suspension of the institutions of the Republic”. As for the partner States and organizations specifically mentioned in the address of July 27th, the President of the Republic has requested a ‘firm and constant’ support to help secure the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, the laying down of arms by M23-AFC troops, and the successful conclusion of the processes initiated in Washington and Doha. On August 17th, 2026, the Head of State had officially launched the National Dialogue process and promised to outline its various aspects in an address to the nation. He has finally announced, on August 27th, for a date to be confirmed, consultations across the country’s 26 provinces, which are intended to culminate in a series of meetings not to be confused with “the 2001–2003 Inter-Congolese Dialogue, which had resulted in the Comprehensive and Inclusive Agreement and the political transition process”.