Burundi hosts opposition and religious leaders in dr Congo crisis talks

With the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s constitutional march just days away, opposition figures and religious leaders are gathering in Bujumbura for high-stakes political consultations. The meeting, convened by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye—who also serves as the African Union’s current chair—focuses on the deepening political, security, and institutional crisis gripping the DRC.

Opposition coalition and faith leaders unite in Bujumbura

The talks bring together key members of the C64 coalition, alongside representatives from the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO), the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), and the Platform of Religious Confessions, including leaders from the Pentecostal churches.

« The delegation includes priests, pastors, and revival church representatives like Ejiba Yamampia. The entire C64 coalition is also present, » a participant confirmed.

The agenda begins with separate discussions with religious leaders before a joint audience with the C64 leadership. A broader session involving all attendees will then take place with the Burundian president.

The opposition coalition has set a firm condition: to be received as a unified group.

« No separate meetings are planned. The C64 delegation will be received collectively—this was a non-negotiable demand, and it has been granted, » the source emphasized.

July 22 now set for DRC’s constitutional march

The Bujumbura consultations have prompted the opposition to postpone their planned July 8 demonstration to July 22.

In a joint statement, figures including Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean-Marc Kabund, Delly Sesanga, and Augustin Matata Ponyo explained that they accepted President Ndayishimiye’s invitation « in a spirit of responsibility, » seeing it as a chance to explore avenues that could strengthen constitutional order.

The coalition aims to use these discussions to clearly and firmly voice the Congolese people’s concerns, highlighting what they perceive as growing threats to democracy and the country’s institutions.

African Union backs political dialogue in DRC

This mediation follows President Ndayishimiye’s recent state visit to Kinshasa, where he and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi underscored the urgent need to safeguard institutional stability and national unity amid persistent security challenges in eastern DRC.

As African Union chair, Ndayishimiye has urged Congolese political and social forces to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, praising the government’s demonstrated openness to engagement.

After the Bujumbura talks conclude, all attention will turn to July 22, the rescheduled date for the C64’s national march. The event’s core objective remains unchanged: defending constitutional order and presenting a formal memorandum to President Tshisekedi.