President Félix Tshisekedi has unveiled the framework for a comprehensive national dialogue, a long-standing demand from the opposition, aimed at restoring stability and fundamentally reforming the state in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This crucial initiative is set to commence across all 26 provinces before culminating in Kinshasa, with a projected duration of up to three months. Participants will encompass a broad spectrum of society, including representatives from the ruling majority, various opposition factions, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and diverse segments of the populace. However, groups actively engaged in armed conflict are explicitly excluded from this process. A critical question arises: can this dialogue truly achieve its objectives without the involvement of key parties embroiled in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC? What distinguishing factors will enable this new endeavor to succeed where prior dialogues and consultations have faltered?