A coalition of main DR Congo opposition groups on Friday rejected President Felix Tshisekedi’s offer of a national dialogue aimed at reconciling the conflict-wracked country.
A peace accord signed in December in Washington was the “appropriate framework” for dealing with the organisation, he said.
The opposition is presenting a united front against a government-proposed constitutional amendment which could allow Tshisekedi elected in 2019 then re-elected in 2023 to stand for a third term following a referendum.
Some opposition forces have long demanded any dialogue include M23 representatives as well as representatives from the camp of former president Joseph Kabila, condemned to death in absentia a year ago for “complicity” with the armed group. The statement said opposition parties regarded the proposal as a “continuation of manoeuvres” to secure a third term in office. On Thursday, the president had urged political leaders to “renounce all hate speech” and called for compromise. Authorities suppressed a July rally in Kinshasa against the constitutional amendment and several opposition supporters were injured in clashes in which the UN said at least one person was killed.
