Lambert Mende asserts president tshisekedi must remain in power amidst rwandan aggression

During a political gathering of the Convention des Congolais Unis (CCU) on Monday, August 3, 2026, Lambert Mende Omalanga offered his perspective on the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis gripping the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prominent CCU leader urged all Congolese citizens to set aside their differences and unite against what he described as an existential threat facing the nation.

Mende framed his address to CCU activists around the pivotal question: “What does tomorrow hold?”

Presented as a message from the “Lumumbists of the CCU to the Nation,” his communication extensively detailed the security crisis that has plagued the Eastern DRC for decades.

Lambert Mende contended that global and regional geopolitical shifts have profoundly impacted the Congolese situation since 1996.

Kigali accused of destabilization

Lambert Mende directly implicated Rwanda, or Kigali, as the primary source of persistent instability in the Eastern DRC. He asserted that numerous armed groups operating in the region are, based on evidence he presented, proxies for Kigali.

He further recounted the various justifications offered over the years by Rwandan President Paul Kagame for his country’s intervention in the DRC, including the alleged presence of FDLR forces and the purported need to protect the Tutsi community in Kivu. Mende dismissed these arguments, stating they have progressively morphed into territorial claims he deems incompatible with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s territorial integrity.

“All is not irrevocably lost”

Despite the gravity of the circumstances, the CCU’s top official maintained an optimistic outlook. He highlighted diplomatic pressure on Kigali as a favorable development for the DRC.

Mende specifically mentioned United States sanctions, suggesting they are instrumental in intensifying pressure on the Rwandan regime.

He also commended the voluntary disarmament process of the FDLR, portraying it as a crucial step that, in his view, removes one of Kigali’s main pretexts for maintaining its forces in Eastern Congo.

National dialogue: CCU sets conditions

Regarding a potential inclusive national dialogue, Lambert Mende acknowledged an emerging consensus among the government, opposition, and civil society on the necessity of such a forum.

However, for the CCU, the immediate priority must be addressing Rwandan aggression and strengthening national cohesion. Therefore, any dialogue should primarily focus on developing and implementing a robust mechanism for preventing and protecting against terrorism, “regardless of its origin.”

Mende expressed reservations about the participation of individuals legally condemned or internationally sanctioned for collaborating with the aggressor. He also stipulated that members of armed groups actively allied with Rwanda, who do not formally disassociate themselves, should be excluded from this forum.

Constitutional reform: Mende calls for perspective on controversies

Constitutional reform also formed a significant part of Mende’s address.

The former minister and government spokesperson under Joseph Kabila emphasized the distinction between adopting a referendum law and actually organizing a constitutional referendum. He reminded his audience that a referendum is a popular consultation, a standard feature of constitutional democracy.

He further argued that states can adjust their political-institutional calendars when confronted with exceptional circumstances, citing historical examples from the United States during major 20th-century crises and contemporary Ukraine facing war.

Tshisekedi’s continued tenure during aggression

Lambert Mende’s discourse directly addressed the political future of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.

The CCU asserted that as long as Rwandan aggression against the DRC persists, the head of state should remain in office. Lambert Mende positioned Félix Tshisekedi as the only leader among the four who have governed the DRC since 1996 to have, in his assessment, taken meaningful political, military, and diplomatic actions against this aggression.

This stance emerges amidst a heated debate within the Congolese political class concerning constitutional reform and the nation’s institutional future.

“Our common home is burning”

Continuing his appeal for national cohesion, Lambert Mende urged Congolese citizens to temporarily sideline political disagreements, which he believes can be addressed later. He insisted that the immediate focus must be on security and the survival of the Congolese state, particularly within a challenging humanitarian context.

The CCU leader notably highlighted the spread of the Ebola virus in areas along the front line separating Rwandan and Congolese forces in the East.

A call for strategic alliance with the United States

In conclusion, Lambert Mende endorsed President Tshisekedi’s initiative to forge a strategic alliance between the DRC and the United States. He believes this partnership could bolster the resilience of the Congolese people and enable the country to develop a genuine power strategy against the threats it confronts.

“Our common home is burning,” Lambert Mende emphatically declared, imploring Congolese citizens to transcend political disputes and rally around the defense of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

The message from the CCU’s Lumumbists thus serves as a powerful plea for national unity, cohesion, and a concerted focus of Congolese efforts on the security crisis.

“Long live the Democratic Republic of Congo, one and indivisible!” Lambert Mende Omalanga concluded.