African Union backs political dialogue in Congo amid rising regional security fears
Kinshasa, 20 October 2026
The African Union has endorsed President Félix Tshisekedi’s national dialogue proposal as former President Joseph Kabila forms a new armed coalition, significantly heightening fears of a wider civil conflict.
Continental Endorsement Amid Escalating Rebellion
On Tuesday, 20 October 2026, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf officially commended Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi for launching an inclusive national political dialogue aimed at bringing together social and political stakeholders while upholding constitutional frameworks [1]. Highlighting principles enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the Commission reiterated its strict opposition to unconstitutional changes of government and forcible seizures of power [1]. The diplomatic intervention follows a sharp downturn in regional security, where renewed military posturing threatens border stability and refugee safety across the region [1][2].
New Military Coalitions Threaten Border Safety and Peace Efforts
The push for political consensus comes in the wake of significant destabilisation in North Kivu province, where former President Joseph Kabila announced on Monday, 12 October 2026, the creation of the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN) in Goma [2]. The political-military coalition replaces the former alliance between the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and the March 23 Movement (M23), which has occupied Goma since January 2025 [2]. Although the FRN issued a communiqué on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, claiming it will respect existing commitments from Doha negotiations regarding ceasefires and refugee returns [2], rights advocates and displaced civilians express deep concern [2]. Human rights activist Josue Akuzwe Walayi warned that continuing conflict imperils peace initiatives in Doha and Washington, forcing families into exile and normalising active warfare along volatile border regions [2].
Government Rejection and Political Strains
In response to the expanding rebellion, the Congolese government has maintained a firm stance, shutting the door on Joseph Kabila’s inclusion in the national political dialogue and directing his armed coalition exclusively to the Doha diplomatic channel as of 19 October 2026 [5]. Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya previously dismissed Kabila’s position on 10 October 2026, characterising the former leader as offering “nothing to offer but chaos” [2]. Meanwhile, domestic political groups, including the Unified Lumumbist Party (PALU), issued a public declaration in Kinshasa warning against a looming civil war [6]. PALU urged President Tshisekedi to exercise his constitutional powers to facilitate dialogue and requested sustained assistance from the AU and the United Nations to prevent widespread casualties [6].
Constitutional Friction Ahead of the 2028 Horizon
Compounding the security crisis is a contentious debate surrounding potential constitutional reform ahead of the 2028 presidential election [3]. President Tshisekedi, who took office in 2019 following a peaceful transition from Kabila and secured a second term in 2023, is currently restricted by Article 220 of the 2006 Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms [2][3]. However, on 9 June 2026, the National Assembly passed a referendum regulation bill with 348 of 351 present deputies voting in favour—representing an approval rate of 99.145% among present members—enabling constitutional revisions during “major institutional dysfunction” [3]. Following Constitutional Court approval on 28 July 2026 and subsequent presidential review requests on 10 August 2026, the bill returned to parliamentary committee on 21 September 2026 [3]. Opposition movements, alongside the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), have firmly opposed these legal manoeuvres, warning since June 2026 that resetting term limits risks provoking severe internal conflict [3].
Civic Preparations and Broader Mediation Initiatives
Despite national political frictions, civil society groups have engaged in preparations for the consultative dialogue [4]. On Saturday, 18 October 2026, youth organisations in Matadi, Kongo Central, convened to outline key socio-economic priorities—including employment, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure—demanding concrete representation rather than symbolic attendance during state deliberations [4]. On the diplomatic front, AU Commission Chairperson Youssouf reaffirmed support for ongoing mediation conducted by Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, supported by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) [1]. International bodies continue to call on all actors to respect ceasefires and safeguard civilian populations to ensure long-term stability across the Great Lakes region [1][2].