Joseph Kabila meets religious leaders in Goma

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila launched a series of citizen consultations on Thursday in Goma, holding meetings at his Kinyogote residence on the shores of Lake Kivu. Having spent four days in the capital of North Kivu, Kabila met with a group of religious leaders in what his associates described as an informal and cordial question-and-answer session involving about a dozen participants.

These discussions mark the beginning of broader citizen consultations initiated by Kabila’s team, aimed at gathering input from key stakeholders regarding the ongoing security crisis in eastern DRC. On Friday, additional meetings are expected to include local political figures, administrative officials, security personnel, and representatives from civil society organizations.

“He wants to fully understand the situation by listening to different groups – including political, administrative, security, religious, and traditional leaders, as well as women’s and community organizations – in order to assess the situation in North Kivu and particularly in Goma,” a source close to the process said.

Kabila is also expected to hold a press conference in Goma following the consultations. His team indicated that the public would be notified in advance to allow for participation.

This initiative comes shortly after Kabila broke a long silence, publicly criticizing President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration. In a speech delivered on May 23, Kabila condemned what he termed “unorthodox governance,” accusing the current government of corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and authoritarian tendencies. He also expressed deep concern about the persistent insecurity in the east and proposed a twelve-point “citizen pact” intended to promote stability and national development.

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