SAVE THE CONGO: Kabila Rejects Tshisekedi’s Third Term & Urges The People To Take Matters In Their Hands To Save The Democratic Republic Of Congo From Further Damage RDC:The 10 key points from President Joseph Kabila’s speech. 1️⃣The DRC is, according to him, in danger of implosion ⏹️Joseph Kabila believes the country is going through […]

SAVE THE CONGO: Kabila Rejects Tshisekedi’s Third Term & Urges The People To Take Matters In Their Hands To Save The Democratic Republic Of Congo From Further Damage

RDC:The 10 key points from President Joseph Kabila’s speech.

1️⃣The DRC is, according to him, in danger of implosion

⏹️Joseph Kabila believes the country is going through a deep crisis threatening its national unity, stability, and existence as a state. He considers that the situation has significantly deteriorated since the political transition of January 2019.

2️⃣An accusation of authoritarian drift by the regime
⏹️The former president accuses Félix Tshisekedi of governing according to his personal will rather than in respect of the Constitution. He denounces what he calls tyranny, as well as tribalism, nepotism, discrimination, and the instrumentalization of institutions for political ends.

3️⃣The military strategy in the East is sharply criticized

⏹️Joseph Kabila reproaches the regime for pursuing a war that he believes cannot be won. He points to the lack of sufficient progress in negotiations, the failure to respect the Doha ceasefire, and the alleged collaboration with several armed groups, including the FDLR and the Wazalendo.

4️⃣An inclusive national dialogue is presented as essential

⏹️He accuses the regime of rejecting dialogue initiatives proposed by various regional and international organizations, as well as that carried by the CENCO and the ECC. According to him, the refusal of dialogue prevents the search for a lasting political solution to the Congolese crisis.

5️⃣Human rights violations denounced

The former head of state mentions arbitrary arrests, detentions of military personnel and opposition leaders, as well as attacks on the freedoms of journalists, activists, and citizens. He also denounces assassinations and massacres which, according to him, do not lead to sufficient judicial proceedings.

6️⃣Corruption, debt, and mining contracts at the heart of the criticisms

⏹️Joseph Kabila denounces the misappropriation of public funds, contracts he deems disadvantageous, and the explosion of public debt. He mentions a debt exceeding, according to his speech, 18 billion dollars and believes that the management of strategic minerals threatens national sovereignty and the future of future generations.

7️⃣Firm opposition to any change in the Constitution
⏹️He accuses the presidential camp of wanting to amend the Constitution and to undermine the republican pact stemming from the Sun City dialogue. He cites in particular the parliamentary work on a proposed law relating to the referendum and the campaigns in favor of constitutional change.
8️⃣He believes the current regime has lost its political legitimacy

⏹️Joseph Kabila accuses the president and his entourage of prioritizing the retention of power over the general interest. He also criticizes the institutions and political leaders whom he judges too complacent toward the head of state, to the detriment of their constitutional role.

9️⃣He warns against excessive trust in the mining agreement with the United States.

⏹️The former president believes that the agreement on critical minerals concluded with Washington does not guarantee the Congolese regime unconditional political support. He recalls, in his argument, that agreements between states commit the states beyond the political regimes that lead them.

🔟A call for mobilization and an upcoming political announcement

⏹️Joseph Kabila calls on Congolese people to take their destiny in hand in the face of what he describes as a national emergency. He announces that he will specify, in the coming hours, days, or weeks, his vision of the actions to be taken to save the Democratic Republic of the Congo.