On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the Coalition Article 64 for the Defense of the Constitutional Order (C64) provided an update following its recent visit to Bujumbura, where its representatives met with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
Dismissing allegations of compromising their principles for closer ties with the Tshisekedi administration, key figures within the C64 sought to clarify their position. Martin Fayulu and his colleagues immediately asserted that they did not request a meeting with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who, in his capacity as the current Chairperson of the African Union, initiated the engagement. While the coalition leaders expressed their readiness to embrace the concept of political dialogue and national cohesion, as proposed by their host, they made it clear that certain preconditions must first be met.
According to the C64, any authentic dialogue hinges on several critical prerequisites: the public and unequivocal abandonment of the proposed constitutional amendment project, the immediate release of all political prisoners, the cessation of politically motivated legal proceedings, and the full restoration of public freedoms. Despite their expressed interest in engaging in dialogue, the C64 leadership firmly stated that certain fundamental principles remain non-negotiable.
These core principles include, but are not limited to, upholding the Constitution, respecting the rule of law, and safeguarding the sovereignty of the Congolese people. The coalition believes that the current stalemate in the Democratic Republic of Congo stems from previous peace initiatives failing to adequately address the profound political dimensions of the crisis, leaving its root causes unresolved.
The Tshisekedi administration’s proposed constitutional changes, particularly amidst ongoing conflict and the occupation of national territory, represent a critical political challenge that demands immediate resolution, in the view of the C64. On this matter, they reaffirmed their unwavering opposition to any constitutional revision, advocating instead for strict adherence to the established institutional order. The coalition plans to amplify these demands on July 22 during a peaceful march toward the Palais de la Nation, ultimately calling for the resignation of President Félix Tshisekedi, whom they accuse of having violated his constitutional oath.
