As the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) grapples with deepening political, security, and institutional turmoil, a high-level delegation from the opposition coalition Article 64 (C64) and prominent Christian leaders has traveled to Bujumbura for urgent consultations convened by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union.
These diplomatic talks come at a critical juncture in the DRC, prompting the C64 coalition to postpone its planned nationwide march—originally scheduled for July 8—until July 22, to allow for meaningful dialogue to unfold.
unity of purpose: religious and opposition leaders gather in bujumbura
The meetings in Bujumbura bring together key figures from the C64 coalition alongside delegates from the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO), the Church of Christ in the Congo (ECC), and the Platform of Religious Confessions, including representatives from Revival Churches. The agenda includes separate discussions with religious leaders followed by a collective audience with C64 leadership, culminating in a broader plenary session with President Ndayishimiye.
« The delegation includes priests, pastors, and revival church representatives like Ejiba Yamampia, alongside the full C64 coalition leadership, » a source close to the process confirmed.
One non-negotiable condition set by the opposition was that all C64 members be received together—not in separate sessions. This demand was met, reinforcing the coalition’s unified stance ahead of the national march.
why the march was delayed: a strategic pause for national dialogue
The decision to delay the July 8 march reflects a deliberate shift from confrontation to dialogue. In a joint statement, opposition figures including Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean-Marc Kabund, Delly Sesanga, and Augustin Matata Ponyo emphasized that their acceptance of the invitation stemmed from a commitment to preserving constitutional order and exploring every avenue that could strengthen democratic institutions.
The coalition has vowed to use these consultations to clearly articulate the Congolese people’s concerns and highlight what it sees as imminent threats to the nation’s democracy and institutional stability.
african union prioritizes political dialogue in drc
These talks build on President Ndayishimiye’s recent state visit to Kinshasa, where he and President Félix Tshisekedi underscored the urgent need to uphold institutional stability and national unity amid persistent security challenges in eastern DRC. Ndayishimiye, as African Union chair, has repeatedly urged all Congolese political and social actors to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, while praising the government’s demonstrated openness to engagement.
With the Bujumbura consultations concluded, all eyes now turn to July 22, the rescheduled date for the C64 coalition’s national march. The event remains focused on defending constitutional order and delivering a memorandum to President Tshisekedi, reaffirming the movement’s commitment to peaceful, democratic solutions.
