Facilitator for DR Congo dialogue urges opposition to rejoin talks

The African Union (AU) Facilitator Edem Kodjo on Tuesday launched sessions for the preparatory committee of the political dialogue convened by President Joseph Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

Kodjo launched the sessions in Kinshasa in the presence of representatives of political parties, ambassadors accredited to missions in Kinshasa as well as representatives of the UN Mission in Congo (MONUSCO).

In his opening remarks, the facilitator said the political dialogue between the Congolese people should be done in accordance with the Congolese Constitution and in conformity with Resolution No. 2277 of the UN Security Council.

"The dialogue will focus on how to organize peaceful and transparent elections in DR Congo," Kodjo said.

Commenting on the prevailing crisis with regards to organization of elections and the refusal by a section of the opposition parties to participate in the dialogue, Kodjo said "no one will emerge victorious" without dialogue.

"I urge the other section of the opposition who are absent on the table preparing for the dialogue to come back since the door is still open. The objective of the dialogue is to find a way of how we can continue living together and its success will be a lesson for the whole world," he continued.

A section of the opposition parties led by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi boycotted the meeting convened by the facilitator and instead organized protests across the country to oppose any potential extension of Kabila's term.

Last year, Kabila convened a political dialogue to seek a compromise on the electoral process which has stalled due to technical constraints raised by the head of the National Independent Electoral Commission, Corneille Nangaa.

However, Congolese opposition has accused the president of trying to use the proposed dialogue to extend his term in office beyond his mandate that ends later this year. Endit