Bujumbura hosts critical consultations as Congo opposition leaders seek diplomatic solution
With the Democratic Republic of Congo’s political landscape under mounting pressure, a high-level delegation of opposition figures and religious leaders has traveled to Bujumbura for urgent consultations led by Burundi’s president. The meeting, convened by Évariste Ndayishimiye—who also serves as the current chair of the African Union—aims to address the deepening political, security, and institutional crisis gripping Congo.
The timing could not be more critical. Just days before a planned protest by the C64 coalition, a broad alliance advocating for constitutional order, the opposition leadership chose to engage in dialogue instead of confrontation. As a result, the coalition’s planned July 8 march has been postponed to July 22, giving these diplomatic efforts a chance to unfold.
Religious and opposition leaders unite in Bujumbura for structured talks
The consultations in Burundi’s capital bring together key voices from Congo’s opposition, including members of the C64 coalition, as well as prominent representatives from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), and the Platform of Religious Confessions, which includes the Revival Churches.
« The delegation includes priests, pastors, and leaders from the Revival Churches. Ejiba Yamampia is among them, representing the Revival movement. The entire C64 coalition is also present. »
The agenda is structured in phases. Initial discussions are set to take place separately with religious leaders, followed by a dedicated session with the C64 leadership. The culmination will be a broader meeting where all parties will come together in the presence of the Burundian president.
The opposition coalition made one thing clear: they would only engage if all members were received collectively—not in separate meetings. This condition was not only acknowledged but fully honored.
« Any suggestion of separate meetings is incorrect. The C64 leadership will be received as a unified delegation. This was a non-negotiable demand, and it has been respected. »
Opposition shifts strategy: dialogue over protest
These talks in Bujumbura have directly led to the postponement of the C64 coalition’s planned July 8 demonstration. In a joint statement, prominent opposition figures—including Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean-Marc Kabund, Delly Sesanga, and Augustin Matata Ponyo—cited a commitment to responsibility as their motivation.
They emphasized that any initiative supporting the preservation of constitutional order deserves careful consideration. The coalition intends to use this opportunity to articulate the pressing concerns of the Congolese people and highlight the threats they believe endanger democracy and the country’s institutions.
African Union prioritizes political dialogue in Congo
This mediation effort follows closely on the heels of Évariste Ndayishimiye’s recent state visit to Kinshasa. During that trip, he met with President Félix Tshisekedi and underscored the urgent need to uphold institutional stability and national unity—especially in the face of persistent security challenges in eastern Congo.
The Burundian president, speaking on behalf of the African Union, urged all political and social stakeholders in Congo to prioritize dialogue over confrontation. He also commended the openness shown by Congolese authorities in engaging with these discussions.
As the Bujumbura consultations draw to a close, all eyes are now set on July 22—the new date for the C64 coalition’s nationwide march. The event remains focused on defending constitutional order and delivering a formal memorandum to President Félix Tshisekedi.