Burundi’s Ndayishimiye Intervenes as Congolese Opposition Delays Anti-Tshisekedi

Kinshasa, July 3, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo's main opposition coalition, C64, has postponed planned protests demanding President Félix Tshisekedi’s resignation after accepting an invitation from Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye for talks on the country's political and security crisis. The coalition, which brings together leading opposition figures including Martin Fayulu, Jean-Marc Kabund, Moïse Katumbi, Augustin Matata Ponyo and Delly Sesanga, announced on July 3 that it would attend an urgent meeting convened by Ndayishimiye in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union. The discussions are expected to focus on security, political and institutional challenges facing the DRC. According to sources in Kinshasa, Ndayishimiye, a close ally of President Tshisekedi, had encouraged dialogue between the government and opposition over the controversial plan to amend the Congolese Constitution, an initiative that has sparked growing political tensions. The opposition had been preparing a major demonstration outside the Presidential Palace on July 8 to demand Tshisekedi's resignation, accusing him of attempting to undermine the Constitution. The planned protest followed earlier demonstrations on June 12 outside the National Assembly, where opposition supporters said they were dispersed by police and members of the ruling UDPS party's youth wing, Forces du Progrès. The government has rejected the opposition's campaign. Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo recently suspended public demonstrations in Kinshasa, citing measures to prevent the spread of Ebola. Opposition leaders, however, argued that the decision was politically motivated, noting that Ebola cases have been concentrated in eastern provinces far from the capital. Just a day before the postponement, Martin Fayulu had renewed calls for nationwide protests, urging Congolese citizens to demand Tshisekedi's resignation over what he described as attempts to violate the Constitution. Following an emergency meeting on July 3, C64 leaders agreed to postpone the demonstrations until July 22 to allow time for discussions with Ndayishimiye. They said they intended to use the talks to express concerns over the country's political direction and to defend constitutional order, while maintaining that their campaign against constitutional changes would continue if their demands were not met.