"I do not argue with M23," this title is from AFRICA NEWS.

No negotiations with the DR Congo government and M23, the rebel movement terrorizing civilian populations in North Kivu. This is the stance of the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, which he reaffirmed during a special briefing with the press on Thursday, February 22 in Kinshasa, the newspaper reports.

In front of the cameras, he continues, the President of the Republic swore to want peace, but a "definitive peace," even if it means putting aside the belligerent tendencies of the war against Rwanda.

"After his gesture denouncing the Rwandan aggression in Kigali: Héritier Luvumbu soon to be honored and rewarded by Fatshi in the name of the Republic," headlines FORUM DES AS.

The Congolese footballer Héritier Luvumbu Nzinga (29 years old) will soon be honored and rewarded by the Congolese Head of State, Félix Tshisekedi, following his heroic gesture in Kigali, denouncing Rwandan aggression during a local championship match between his former club Rayon Sport and FC Police in the month of February, the newspaper announces, explaining: "It is Fatshi himself who made this promise during a special briefing held yesterday Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the Maman Angebi studio of RTNC."

FORUM DES AS recalls that "The facts date back to February 12. After scoring a decisive goal from a free kick, Luvumbu chose to celebrate this achievement with a symbolic gesture: one hand over the mouth and a finger on the temple. According to him, he simply wanted to denounce by this gesture the silence of the international community in the face of the aggression of his country by Rwanda."

However, he continues, the Rwandan authorities quickly interpreted this celebration as a critique, in a tense context between Rwanda and the DRC. Rayon Sports considered this gesture as a "lack of discipline" pretexting "bad behavior". The club has therefore amicably terminated the contract of its star striker.

This gesture, known under the name of "FreeCongo," has become very popular in the Democratic Republic of Congo and around the world. Particularly after the players of the Leopards displayed the same gesture during the Africa Cup of Nations 2023. Since then, it has become a symbol of solidarity towards the Congolese people and of protest against the persistent conflicts in the eastern region of the country.

On the same topic, LE PHARE headlines: "Fatshi: victory is certain... the house is well guarded." The President of the Republic displays his serenity regarding the outcome of the fight, which he is leading with the entire Congolese people, for the return of definitive peace to the East of the country. To this end, while recognizing the democratic right of his compatriots to peacefully express their disapproval in the face of the unjust war imposed on them by denouncing the attitudes seen as complicit, he asks them not to resort to violence by damaging others' property.

The CONGOLESE NEWS AGENCY (ACP) headlines: "Félix Tshisekedi rejects all discussions with M23."

Citing the Head of State, this media notes: "Discussions? I want them. But with Rwanda. Rwanda must explain to me why they are bent on massacring my compatriots and plundering our natural resources. I do not want to negotiate with this empty shell that is M23."

In the same vein, continues the ACP, Félix Tshisekedi has acknowledged not having any contact with M23, categorically refusing to receive them.
Consultations to determine the parliamentary majority for the formation of the government are the subjects of interest to the Kinshasa media today. "The Premiership to UDPS, members of the Sacred Union sulk!"

FORUM DES AS, proposing this headline, writes: "Recently appointed by President Félix Tshisekedi, Augustin Kabuya is about to complete the mission assigned to him. The Secretary General of UDPS will soon report on his contacts to the head of state, some sources inform. This already gives rise to persistent rumors about the imminent appointment of the Prime Minister."

From the perspective of other parties and political groupings members of the Sacred Union of the Nation (USN), our colleague notes, although not having the courage to speak out openly, many members of this presidential platform do not hide their disagreement with this ambition of the party dear to the late Sphinx of Limete.

However, before the informant has submitted his report to the President of the Republic, "agitators" have already entered the dance to stir up the Congolese political scene, this tabloid signals, adding: "A minister, reelected deputy in a group other than that of UDPS, appeared on a local television channel to declare that, according to him, the post of Prime Minister must imperatively return to UDPS. That such statements come from the mouth of a USN deputy proves sufficiently that the Congolese political microcosm is filled with unabashed flatterers and opportunists."

Behind the scenes, the clearly expressed ambitions of the presidential party are far from drawing general approval. Clearly, protesters do not have the courage to voice out loud what is discreetly whispered. Probably, most are waiting for the publication of the government to express their discontent if their names do not appear on the list.

To avoid the looming discord within the USN, FORUM DES AS suggests, members of this platform should show sincerity: tell the whole truth to their moral authority to help move the country forward. In his inauguration speech, indeed, the head of state promised to correct the errors of his first term. His close collaborators are invited to identify said errors before determining the future paths to take.

"Should we respond to the consultations organized by Augustin Kabuya? Ensemble is still reflecting internally," titles, for its part, LA PROSPERITE.

Invited by the Informer Augustin Kabuya to present himself at the consultations, a mission entrusted to him by the President of the Republic, to bring out a parliamentary majority, "Ensemble for Republic is internally reflecting on the follow-up to this invitation," quoting (Francis Kalombo) the deputy spokesperson of Moïse Katumbi, this newspaper reports: "Moïse Katumbi, despite his continued acceptance of suffering certain injustices that we cannot accept, has criticized the substitute of Olivier Kamitatu, adding that the Congolese need an opposition. The country cannot function without the Opposition."

Boni Tsala