Martin Fayulu Renewes Call for Inclusive Dialogue Amid Deepening Crisis in the DRC

Kinshasa | December 31, 2025 - Congolese opposition leader Martin Fayulu has reiterated his call for an inclusive national dialogue, warning that the Democratic Republic of Congo is facing what he described as “one of the most serious crises in its history.” Fayulu made the remarks in a New Year’s message to the Congolese people, published on social media on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. In the message, he urged political leaders to engage in open discussions aimed at restoring stability and national cohesion. The opposition figure sharply criticized the agreements signed on December 4 in Washington, arguing that they commit the future of the DRC without national debate, transparency, or popular consent. “These agreements are opaque. The people do not know. The people have not decided,” Fayulu said. According to him, rejecting inclusive dialogue would amount to rejecting peace, stressing that only a broad-based political process can provide a sustainable solution to the country’s ongoing political and security challenges. DRC Joins UN Security Council, Says Entry Is “a Mission, Not a Reward” Kinshasa, January 2, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially takes its seat on the United Nations Security Council this Friday as a non-permanent member, marking a significant milestone in the country’s diplomatic engagement on the global stage. Foreign Affairs Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner underscored the gravity of the moment, stressing that the DRC’s entry into the Council should not be seen as a symbolic achievement, but as a serious responsibility. “By officially joining the United Nations Security Council, our country assumes a major responsibility in the service of international peace and security,” she said. “It is a moment of dignity, but above all, a moment of commitment.” Drawing on the DRC’s own history, the minister highlighted the country’s understanding of the human cost of conflict and instability. She noted that the Congolese experience gives the nation a unique perspective on the expectations of civilian populations who look to the United Nations in times of war and insecurity. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner outlined the DRC’s mandate on the Council around three core priorities: defending respect for international law, reaffirming the non-negotiable principle of state sovereignty, and amplifying the voices of populations affected by conflict, particularly in Africa. According to the minister, the DRC approaches its role on the Security Council with a message shaped by lived experience-one rooted in truth, responsibility, and a firm commitment to contributing to lasting solutions to international crises.