Burundi Consultations: C64 Coalition Returns to Kinshasa to Present Outcome

Kinshasa, July 7, 2026 - The Article 64 Coalition for the Defense of Constitutional Order (C64) has announced a press conference in Kinshasa following consultations held in Bujumbura with Burundian President and African Union Chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye on the political and institutional situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The discussions, held on July 6 in Burundi’s capital, brought together representatives of the Congolese opposition, major religious denominations, and President Ndayishimiye, who sought to encourage dialogue among Congolese stakeholders as a possible avenue for addressing the country’s political tensions. According to participants, the consultations took place in a calm and constructive atmosphere. Separate meetings were first held with representatives of different religious groups, including leaders of Revival Churches, the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), before a broader session brought together all delegations and the Burundian authorities. A representative of the C64 coalition described the discussions as positive, emphasizing that the exchanges focused on the need to find solutions through dialogue and political engagement. Following their return to Kinshasa, the coalition and religious representatives plan to hold a press conference to present the main points emerging from the Bujumbura consultations. The C64 delegation said Évariste Ndayishimiye, in his role as African Union chairperson, intends to contribute to efforts aimed at resolving the Congolese crisis by promoting dialogue between the various political actors. The consultations took place amid growing tensions surrounding a proposed constitutional amendment in the DRC, which opponents argue could open the way for President Félix Tshisekedi to seek another term in office. The C64 coalition had initially planned a nationwide demonstration on July 8 to protest against the constitutional reform initiative. However, the movement was postponed to July 22, 2026, following the invitation from President Ndayishimiye for political consultations. The coalition, which includes several opposition figures such as Martin Fayulu, Delly Sesanga, Moïse Katumbi, and Jean-Marc Kabund, said it accepted the invitation in a spirit of responsibility, while maintaining its concerns regarding constitutional order, democratic stability, and institutional balance. During his recent visit to Kinshasa, Évariste Ndayishimiye had already called on Congolese political actors to prioritize dialogue, preserve national unity, and strengthen institutional stability amid continuing security challenges, particularly in eastern DRC. Through these consultations, the Burundian president seeks to position dialogue and consensus-building as key elements in addressing the political challenges facing the Democratic Republic of Congo.