Burundi President Ndayishimiye invites Congolese opposition for talks on DRC crisis

Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, acting as Chair of the African Union, invited leaders of the Congolese opposition coalition Article 64 (C64) to a consultation in Gitega/Bujumbura. The meeting, attended by figures such as Martin Fayulu, Delly Sesanga, Jean‑Marc Kabund and religious representatives including Denis Mukwege, was convened after the coalition postponed its planned peaceful march from 8 July to 22 July. The talks aim to address the political, security and institutional crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has seen hundreds of civilian deaths, food insecurity and an Ebola outbreak. Critics note that the invitation focuses on the most hard‑line opposition members and excludes other civil‑society actors, raising doubts about the inclusivity and credibility of the mediation effort.