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| - DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi on Monday began talks aimed at defusing a crisis with supporters of his powerful predecessor, Joseph Kabila. He announced the initiative on October 23 amid a political tug-of-war with the pro-Kabila bloc, which wields a majority in parliament, the government and provincial assemblies. Tshisekedi's first meeting was with the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) -- one of several areas of institutional tension between Tshisekedi and the Kabila-aligned Common Front for Congo (FCC). CENI chief Corneille Nangaa said the talks focused on "the need for stabilising the country and for peace." CENI -- a body accused by critics of rigging past votes in favour of Kabila -- has been without a board since June 2019, when the mandate of its members expired. The board has to be renewed for the commission to be able to stage the next general elections, due in 2023. Tshisekedi took office on January 24, 2019, succeeding the iron-fisted Kabila, who stepped down after 18 years in office. The handover was the first peaceful transition of power in the post-independence history of Democratic Republic of Congo. But Tshisekedi's vow to reform the country's institutions and root out corruption has also brought him into conflict with the FCC, with which he has to share power. In July, Tshisekedi appointed three new members to the DRC's paramount court, the Constitutional Council, sparking the FCC's fierce opposition. Ceremonies to swear in the three judges were boycotted on October 21 by leading figures, including Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga and the speakers of the National Assembly and Senate. In a nationwide address two days later, Tshisekedi admitted he and the FCC were at odds over national security; CENI and the organisation of elections; the management of state assets; and the independence of the judiciary, among other things. Resolving this requires a "broad national consensus," he said. Tshisekedi said he had therefore decided to initiate consultations "with the most representative social and political leaders, to gather their opinions with a view to creating a sacred union of the nation." The talks "aim at reforging government action based on the principles of participation in the management of the country," he declared. mbb-bmb/thm/avz/ri/cdw
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