Consultations in Burundi over Congo’s political crisis

opposition leaders and religious figures meet president Ndayishimiye in Bujumbura

The coalition Article 64 (C64), along with prominent figures from the Conférence épiscopale nationale du Congo (CENCO) and the Église du Christ au Congo (ECC), traveled to Bujumbura this week for high-level consultations. The meeting, convened by Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, aims to address the escalating political, security, and institutional crisis gripping the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The initiative comes as tensions in the DRC reach a critical point, prompting the C64 coalition to postpone its planned national march—originally scheduled for July 8—until July 22. Leaders from the opposition alliance, including Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, and Augustin Matata Ponyo, emphasized their decision to engage in these talks as an act of responsibility, prioritizing dialogue over confrontation.

a united front: religious and opposition leaders align for talks

The Burundian capital has become a hub for discussions aimed at resolving the DRC’s deepening crisis. Among the participants are representatives from the Plateforme des confessions religieuses, including influential Églises de Réveil leaders, alongside the full leadership of the C64 coalition. The program includes separate meetings with religious officials before a joint audience with President Ndayishimiye and a plenary session involving all stakeholders.

key demands: collective representation and constitutional order

The opposition coalition made it clear from the outset that they would only participate if granted a collective audience. “Separate meetings are not on the table. The C64 leadership must be received as a unified body—this was a non-negotiable condition, and it has been met,” a spokesperson confirmed. The coalition’s primary agenda includes presenting a national memorandum to President Félix Tshisekedi, outlining urgent concerns about threats to democracy and state institutions.

African Union pushes for political dialogue

The Burundian-led consultations reflect a broader African Union push for stability in the DRC. Following President Ndayishimiye’s recent state visit to Kinshasa, where he met with President Tshisekedi, both leaders underscored the need to uphold constitutional order and national unity amid ongoing security challenges in eastern DRC. The AU Chairperson also urged Congolese political and social forces to embrace dialogue over confrontation, praising the openness of Congolese authorities to constructive engagement.

As the July 22 march approaches, all eyes will be on Bujumbura’s outcomes and their potential impact on the DRC’s political trajectory. The coalition remains steadfast in its mission: defending constitutional order and amplifying the voices of a population demanding democratic resilience.