Turmoil Within the "Ensemble pour la République" Party: Master Hervé Diakese Kyungu Suspended from His Functions

In a decision issued following a meeting of the National Directorate of the "Ensemble pour la République" party held on August 20, 2026, and presided over by party leader Moïse Katumbi Chapwe the political formation has decided to suspend Master Hervé Diakese Kyungu from his duties as spokesperson and from all activities carried out in the name of the party. Furthermore, he has been referred to the Council of Sages for a formal hearing.

This suspension follows remarks made by Diakese during a broadcast hosted by journalist Claude Pero Luwara in Brussels. These statements were deemed inappropriate, discourteous, and insulting toward the national president by members of the party's directorate.

​It should be noted that following the contested elections of 2023, which consecrated the reelection of Félix Tshisekedi and the defeat of Moïse Katumbi, "Ensemble pour la République" has struggled to recover from this setback and relaunch its momentum. Internal rivalries and power struggles among high-ranking officials continue to hinder the revitalization of this opposition party.

Several prominent figures have left the fold since 2023, including Jacky Ndala, former president of the Youth League, and Gratien Iracan, national deputy elected for Bunia in Ituri, to name just a few.

Several observers criticize party leader Moïse Katumbi for being too conciliatory and struggling to chart a clear path for his organization, leading to recurring conflicts and the emergence of competing factions with divergent interests.

It is also worth noting that "Ensemble pour la République" is a member of the C64 opposition platform, which campaigns for the departure of Félix Tshisekedi and has participated in multiple pressure tactics against the government organized by this coalition.

As the dialogue proposed by Félix Tshisekedi with the opposition approaches, "Ensemble pour la République" currently presents itself as a deeply divided and heavily internally weakened party.

It remains to be seen whether its leader, Moïse Katumbi Chapwe, will be able to inject a new dynamic and fresh momentum capable of reviving this major opposition formation.