Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye hosted separate meetings in Bujumbura on July 6, 2026, with Congolese opposition figures and religious leaders as tensions continue to grow in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a proposed constitutional revision.
Ndayishimiye, who currently serves as African Union chairperson, received a Congolese delegation made up of political representatives and faith leaders in an attempt to encourage dialogue amid the ongoing institutional crisis in the DRC.
According to participants, the discussions were held through three separate meetings. The first involved Archbishop Ejiba Yamapia, head of the Platform of Revival Churches. He was followed by representatives from the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), before opposition members from the Article 64 Coalition (C64) were received. A joint meeting later brought together all participants.
Tshisekedi’s alleged approval
Several sources who attended the meetings said President Ndayishimiye told the delegations that he had received prior approval from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to lead the mediation effort. The Congolese presidency has not publicly confirmed this information.
In a statement released after the talks, Burundi’s presidency only referred to discussions held in a spirit of « openness and trust » and highlighted the importance of dialogue and unity, without mentioning the constitutional issue or specifying any formal mandate.
According to one participant, Ndayishimiye explained that the situation in the DRC was a matter of concern for him and that, as AU chairperson, he wanted to contribute to finding a solution. He reportedly stressed that dialogue was necessary to address the crisis.
Sources also indicated that the Burundian leader’s main request was for all sides to accept the principle of dialogue, without defining its format or agenda.
Religious leaders divided over constitutional reform
The choice of participants reflected an attempt at balance, but deep divisions remain, particularly among religious groups.
The Revival Churches platform, which has supported constitutional change in recent months, defended the position of respecting the framework established by the current authorities.
By contrast, CENCO and the Church of Christ in Congo reaffirmed their opposition to constitutional revision and promoted their roadmap for a national dialogue, developed jointly and amended through Angolan mediation. They called for its urgent implementation.
Opposition demands guarantees
Among political actors, Ndayishimiye’s initiative was welcomed in principle but met with caution, particularly from supporters of opposition leader Moïse Katumbi.
Opposition representatives reportedly questioned the credibility of President Tshisekedi’s intentions and demanded concrete guarantees before joining any dialogue process.
They argue that ongoing regional and international initiatives — including the Nairobi, Luanda, Doha, and Washington processes addressing armed conflict in eastern DRC — focus mainly on military and diplomatic issues while failing to address the institutional crisis.
The opposition is demanding the withdrawal of the constitutional revision project as long as the country remains at war, as well as the preservation of the 2006 Constitution as the sole legitimate framework.
It is also calling for political confidence-building measures, including the release of political prisoners, the cancellation of politically motivated convictions, and the removal of restrictions affecting opposition figures seeking passports.
C64 Protest Still Planned
Despite the consultations in Bujumbura, the C64 opposition coalition has maintained its planned peaceful demonstration in Kinshasa on July 22.
The leaders of five opposition parties — A.Ch, ECiDé, Ensemble, LGD, and Envol — officially notified Kinshasa authorities of the protest on July 4. The planned march is expected to begin at 9 a.m., following routes organized by municipality, before delivering a memorandum to President Tshisekedi.
Further meetings are reportedly being considered, although no dates have been set. A possible return to Bujumbura will depend on future discussions between Presidents Ndayishimiye and Tshisekedi.
The Congolese delegation is expected to return to Kinshasa, with a press conference scheduled for July 9.
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