Évariste Ndayishimiye, the current chairperson of the African Union, on Monday hosted a delegation of opposition political leaders and senior religious figures from the Democratic Republic of the Congo for talks focused on peace, stability and political dialogue in the neighboring country.
The delegation, received at the Ntare Rushatsi Palace in Bujumbura, included leaders of opposition political parties and heads of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s main religious denominations, according to Burundi’s State House.
Following the meeting, the presidency said Ndayishimiye was encouraged by the outcome of the discussions.
“His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the exchanges conducted in a spirit of openness and trust,” the State House said in a post on X.
The presidency added that the Burundian leader “emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue and unity” and “acknowledged the shared commitment, expressed during these exchanges, in favor of stability, peace, and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region.”
The State House did not identify members of the Congolese delegation or say whether the talks were part of a formal African Union mediation process.
The meeting comes at a sensitive moment for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is grappling with both a persistent security crisis in its eastern provinces and growing political tensions in Kinshasa. Armed conflict involving the March 23 Movement and other militias has displaced millions of people, while diplomatic efforts by regional leaders continue to seek a negotiated settlement.
At the same time, opposition parties have accused President Félix Tshisekedi of pursuing constitutional reforms that could extend presidential term limits, allegations the Congolese government has denied. Last month, several opposition protests were postponed after Ndayishimiye, acting in his capacity as African Union chairperson, invited opposition leaders for consultations aimed at encouraging dialogue rather than confrontation.
Since assuming the rotating chairmanship of the African Union in February, Ndayishimiye has pledged to prioritize African-led solutions to conflicts across the continent. The crisis in eastern Congo remains one of the AU’s most pressing security challenges, with the bloc backing ongoing mediation efforts led jointly with regional organizations, including the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community.
No joint communiqué or agreements reached during Monday’s meeting were immediately made public.
