The Burundian government has voiced its support for the national dialogue initiative launched by President Félix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The dialogue aims to address the country's deep-seated issues and promote peace and stability. According to Zéphyrin Maniratanga, Burundi's ambassador to the United Nations, the process must be inclusive, credible, and transparent, allowing for the effective participation of all components of Congolese society, including women and young people.
Maniratanga emphasized that the peace process must respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of DR Congo. He also stressed the need for the withdrawal of all foreign forces present illegally on the country's territory. The Burundian ambassador's statements were made during a quarterly briefing on the situation in DR Congo, held under the presidency of France at the UN Security Council.
In addition to the political dialogue, Burundi insists on the need for rigorous monitoring of the commitments made within the framework of the various peace processes. Maniratanga called for the establishment of a follow-up mechanism involving regional and international actors. He also emphasized the importance of accurate reporting on the role played by regional actors in efforts to bring peace to eastern DR Congo.
As the mandate of the UN Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) is about to be renewed, Burundi believes that the Security Council must ensure that the mission has the necessary capabilities to accomplish its tasks. Maniratanga argued that MONUSCO must have the means to protect civilians, support ceasefire verification, and contribute to disarmament and stabilization efforts.
The Burundian ambassador also called on the Security Council to prioritize the implementation of its own decisions, rather than multiplying new resolutions without ensuring the implementation of previous ones. He emphasized the importance of close coordination between the UN, the African Union, regional mechanisms, and states in the Great Lakes region to prevent future cycles of violence.
The national dialogue initiative launched by President Tshisekedi takes place in a context of high political and security tensions in DR Congo. The process, announced in August 2026, aims to address the structural causes of instability and is expected to last a maximum of three months. However, its format has sparked disagreements within the political class, with some opposition groups contesting the modalities and demanding more guarantees on its inclusivity and consensual nature.
The international community is closely watching the developments in DR Congo, and the Burundian government's support for the national dialogue initiative is seen as a positive step towards promoting peace and stability in the region. The situation in DR Congo remains fragile, and the success of the national dialogue will depend on the ability of all stakeholders to work together towards a common goal of peace and stability.
Key points
- The Burundian government supports the national dialogue initiative in DR Congo, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, credibility, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- The peace process must respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of DR Congo and involve the withdrawal of all foreign forces present illegally on the country's territory.
- The Burundian ambassador called for rigorous monitoring of the commitments made within the framework of the various peace processes and the establishment of a follow-up mechanism involving regional and international actors.
