During a political gathering of the Convention des Congolais Unis (CCU) on Monday, August 3, 2026, Lambert Mende Omalanga presented his analysis of the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis gripping the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prominent CCU leader urged Congolese citizens to set aside their differences and unite against what he described as an existential threat to the nation.
Mende framed his address to CCU activists around the forward-looking question, “What does tomorrow hold?”
Billed as a message from the “Lumumbists of the CCU to the Nation,” his communication extensively addressed the protracted security challenges plaguing 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 as the root cause of the persistent instability in eastern DRC. He asserted that numerous armed groups operating in the region are, based on evidence presented in his speech, proxies of Kigali.
He also recounted the various justifications offered over the years by Rwandan President Paul Kagame for his country’s involvement in the DRC, including the presence of the FDLR and the purported protection of the Tutsi community in Kivu.
For Mende, these arguments have gradually morphed into territorial claims, which he deemed incompatible with the territorial integrity of the DRC.
“All is not irrevocably lost”
Despite the gravity of the circumstances, the head of the CCU expressed optimism. He believes that diplomatic pressure exerted on Kigali offers a favorable element for the DRC.
He specifically referenced American sanctions, viewing them as a factor that intensifies pressure on the Rwandan regime.
Lambert Mende also commended the voluntary disarmament process of the FDLR, presenting it as a breakthrough that, in his view, removes one of Kigali’s primary justifications for maintaining its forces in eastern Congo.
National dialogue: CCU sets conditions
Regarding the prospect of an 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 paramount focus must remain on countering Rwandan aggression and bolstering national cohesion. Consequently, this dialogue should primarily aim to develop and implement mechanisms for preventing and protecting against terrorism, “regardless of its origin.”
Nevertheless, Lambert Mende expressed reservations about the participation of individuals duly condemned by the judiciary or sanctioned by the international community for complicity with the aggressor. He also stipulated that members of armed groups actively collaborating with Rwanda, who do not formally disavow their allegiance, should be excluded from this forum.
Constitutional reform: Mende urges perspective on controversies
Constitutional reform also formed a significant part of this address.
The former minister and government spokesperson under Joseph Kabila emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the adoption of a referendum law and the actual organization of a constitutional referendum. He reiterated that a referendum is a popular consultation inherent to constitutional democracy.
Furthermore, he argued that states can adjust their political-institutional calendars when confronted with extraordinary circumstances. He cited examples such as the United States during major 20th-century crises and Ukraine amidst its ongoing war.
Tshisekedi’s continuation in power during aggression
Lambert Mende’s discourse directly addressed the political future of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.
The CCU maintains that as long as Rwandan aggression against the DRC persists, the head of state should remain in office. Lambert Mende portrayed Félix Tshisekedi as the only leader among the four who have governed the DRC since 1996 to have, in his assessment, taken significant political, military, and diplomatic actions against this aggression.
This stance emerges amid intense debate within the Congolese political class regarding constitutional reform and the nation’s institutional future.
“The common house is burning”
Continuing his appeal for national cohesion, Lambert Mende implored Congolese citizens to temper their political disagreements, which, he believes, can be addressed later. He asserted that priority must be given to the security and survival of the Congolese state, particularly in what he also described as a humanitarian crisis.
The CCU leader specifically mentioned the evolution of the Ebola virus epidemic in areas situated along the front line separating Rwandan and Congolese forces in the eastern part of the country.
A call for strategic alliance with the United States
In conclusion, Lambert Mende voiced his support for President Tshisekedi’s initiative to forge a strategic alliance between the DRC and the United States. He believes this partnership could strengthen the resilience of the Congolese people and enable the nation to develop a robust power strategy against the threats it faces.
“The common house is burning,” Lambert Mende emphatically declared, urging Congolese people to transcend political squabbles 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 the concentration of Congolese efforts on resolving the security crisis.
“Long live the Democratic Republic of Congo, one and indivisible!” Lambert Mende Omalanga concluded.
