Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive and peaceful dialogue between citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a New Year address to the diplomatic corps over the weekend, the President said national unity was “more than ever a fundamental requirement”.
His comments come as fighting continues in the east of the country between the army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
The idea of an inter-Congolese national dialogue was initiated by part of the opposition.
President Tshisekedi, however, set out conditions for it to happen, including that the process must take place on home soil and under institutional control.
He also said the process should not call into question his legitimacy or that of the institutions elected by universal suffrage.
The president added that the process should not also seek to overturn court decisions that have already been made.