DRC crisis: Opposition and religious leaders consult in Bujumbura

Congolese political opposition figures and religious leaders have convened in Bujumbura, Burundi, for crucial consultations addressing the nation's deepening political, security, and institutional crisis. The meetings, which began Saturday, July 4, 2026, are spearheaded by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who also serves as the current chairman of the African Union.

President Ndayishimiye's initiative seeks to facilitate a dialogue among key political and religious stakeholders, aiming to find common ground and potential solutions for the escalating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The urgency of the consultations underscores the gravity of the crisis facing the nation.

Among the prominent attendees are representatives from the C64 opposition coalition, signaling a unified front from various opposition factions. Additionally, delegates from influential religious organizations, including the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), and the Platform of Religious Confessions and Churches of the Awakening in DRC, are participating. Their involvement highlights the broad consensus on the need for a multi-faceted approach to resolving the crisis.