Amid escalating political and security tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a high-level delegation comprising opposition leaders and religious representatives has traveled to Bujumbura for urgent consultations convened by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye. The meeting, led by the president who also holds the rotating chair of the African Union, aims to address the deepening political crisis gripping the neighboring country.
The timing of these talks is critical, as they precede the rescheduled protest march initially planned for July 8 by the Coalition for Article 64 (C64), now postponed to July 22. The delay follows a strategic decision by opposition figures to engage in dialogue rather than escalate tensions on the streets.
Opposition coalition and religious groups unite in Bujumbura talks
The discussions in Bujumbura bring together key members of the C64, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), and leaders from the Platform of Religious Confessions, including revivalist churches. The agenda includes separate meetings with religious leaders before a joint audience with C64 representatives, culminating in a plenary session with President Ndayishimiye.
« Clergy members, including priests and pastors, are present. Ejiba Yamampia, representing revivalist churches, is also in attendance, alongside the full leadership of the C64. »
One of the coalition’s non-negotiable demands was to be received collectively, not in fragmented sessions. This condition was met, reinforcing their unified stance.
Why the protest march was postponed
The Bujumbura consultations directly influenced the decision to postpone the C64’s national march from July 8 to July 22. Opposition figures Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean-Marc Kabund, Delly Sesanga, and Augustin Matata Ponyo explained that they accepted the invitation « in a spirit of responsibility, » prioritizing dialogue as a means to uphold constitutional order.
The coalition intends to use these discussions to voice the population’s concerns « with clarity and firmness, » highlighting perceived threats to democracy and state institutions in the DRC.
African Union pushes for political resolution in Congo
These talks align with President Ndayishimiye’s recent state visit to Kinshasa, where he and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi emphasized the urgency of preserving institutional stability amid persistent security challenges in eastern Congo. The Burundian leader urged Congolese political and social forces to favor dialogue over confrontation, praising the government’s apparent openness to engagement.
As the Bujumbura consultations wrap up, attention now turns to July 22—the new date set for the C64’s national march. The coalition’s goal remains unchanged: defending constitutional order and submitting a memorandum to President Tshisekedi.
