King Philippe Urges Tshisekedi to Launch Inclusive Dialogue

Davos, January 21, 2026 - Belgium’s King Philippe has encouraged President Félix Tshisekedi to organize an inclusive national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while pledging to mobilize European partners around the country’s worsening humanitarian situation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, where the two leaders discussed the security crisis in eastern DRC and the broader political situation. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot confirmed that Brussels reiterated its support for a national dialogue, long demanded by the opposition and seen as a key step toward addressing the root causes of the country’s multifaceted crisis. Belgium reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC and respect for the country’s territorial integrity. King Philippe also pledged to ensure that European governments are fully informed of the dramatic humanitarian conditions facing civilians in areas affected by the M23 rebellion. “Belgium remains a strategic partner of the DRC, determined to support peace,” Prévot said. As discussions around a dialogue framework advance, the “Save the DRC” political and social platform, backed by former President Joseph Kabila, has been consulted twice by Angolan President João Lourenço. The platform has indicated it would support abandoning the Doha process with the AFC/M23 only if the proposed dialogue is genuinely inclusive and focused on restoring peace in the east. Meanwhile, the Catholic bishops (CENCO) and Protestant leaders (ECC) who initiated the dialogue effort were also received by President Lourenço, days after his second meeting in a month with President Tshisekedi in Luanda. Several opposition figures have likewise met with the current Chairperson of the African Union, as political consultations intensify ahead of a dialogue long awaited by the opposition and civil society.