The youth league of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) has expressed its disapproval of the Coalition Article 64's (C64) initiative to meet with both President Felix Tshisekedi and former President Joseph Kabila. According to Christian Lumu Lukusa, the vice-president of the UDPS youth league, this move is a "confusion of roles" and does not serve any political interest for the country.
The C64, a coalition of opposition parties, had announced its intention to meet with Tshisekedi and Kabila separately in a bid to find a Congolese solution to the ongoing crisis and promote a genuine national dialogue. The coalition, which includes prominent figures such as Martin Fayulu, Jean-Marc Kabund, and Moïse Katumbi, also plans to lobby international partners for support. However, Lumu Lukusa argues that this initiative is misguided and may even play into the hands of Rwanda.
Lumu Lukusa's concerns are rooted in the recent sanctions imposed by the United States on the Rwandan Ministry of Defense and the Zigama Credit and Savings Society. He believes that meeting with Kabila, who is allegedly at the helm of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), would legitimize this movement. The US Treasury Department has linked the FRN to the Alliance of Democratic Forces (AFC), the political wing of the M23 rebel group.
The UDPS youth league's stance is that the opposition's efforts should focus on supporting the president in defending national sovereignty against Rwandan aggression. Lumu Lukusa accuses the opposition of inadvertently serving Rwanda's strategy by encouraging them to present the conflict in the East as a purely Congolese affair. He argues that the opposition has two options: to rally behind the president or to "play into the hands" of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Lumu Lukusa also questions the legitimacy of the C64's mediation efforts, suggesting that it is not their role to facilitate dialogue between Tshisekedi and Kabila. Instead, he proposes that impartial civil society organizations and international mediators should take on this responsibility. He encourages the opposition to participate in the national dialogue announced by the president, rather than pursuing their own initiative.
The UDPS youth league believes that the C64's initiative will not benefit the populations affected by the conflict. Lumu Lukusa emphasizes that the focus should be on promoting a genuine national dialogue, rather than pursuing parallel initiatives that may exacerbate the situation. The situation remains complex, with multiple stakeholders vying for influence and solutions to the ongoing crisis.
The rejection of the C64's initiative by the UDPS youth league highlights the deep-seated divisions within the Congolese opposition. The situation is further complicated by the involvement of international actors, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on Rwandan entities. The road to a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains uncertain.
Key points
- The UDPS youth league rejects the Coalition Article 64's plan to meet with President Felix Tshisekedi and former President Joseph Kabila.
- The initiative is seen as a "confusion of roles" and may play into the hands of Rwanda.
- The opposition is encouraged to participate in the national dialogue announced by the president.
