From the United Nations Security Council, MONUSCO head James Swan delivered a strong political message to Kinshasa this Friday. He urged all Congolese stakeholders to agree on the modalities of an inclusive national dialogue, while stressing the need to preserve civic space and fundamental freedoms—especially freedom of expression and assembly—so that every party can express itself in a “peaceful and secure” framework.
This call resonates deeply as the constitutional debate sharply divides the country and as the headquarters of the CENCO (National Episcopal Conference of Congo) was recently targeted by regime supporters in Kinshasa.
On the security front, the UN diplomat welcomed the creation of a national commission to oversee security sector reform, as well as the ongoing finalisation of the country’s first national security policy, led by the presidency.
