DRC's national dialogue suffers another setback as Lucha movement pulls out of talks

A citizen movement called Lucha in the Democratic Republic of Congo has refused to take part in the national dialogue initiated by President Joseph Kabila, which started at the beginning of this month.

On Saturday, the movement’s activists who were recently released from prison held a press conference in Goma and said they will not participate in the dialogue which has already kicked off without representation from major opposition parties.

“Lucha will not participate in the political dialogue for the simple reason that it wants to remain a sentinel of democracy in our country. We know that there are several initiatives that have been proposed in this country in the past. And in all these meetings, we always know the results thereof, “said Ghislain Muhiwa, a member of the movement.

The national dialogue is supposed to calm the tense political climate in the DRC as tension worsens with uncertainty growing on the date of the polls.

The opposition also alleges Kabila, who has been in power for the last fifteen years, is seeking to extend his mandate contrary to the country’s Constitution.

The Electoral Commission recently announced that it has begun operations of registration of voters that will last 11 months, making elections impossible to be held by the end of the year.

Togolese diplomat Edem Kodjo is leading the mediation efforts and has the backing of the African Union.