The Coalition Article 64 for the Defense of Constitutional Order (C64) announced today in Kinshasa the postponement of its peaceful march scheduled for July 22 in front of the Palais de la Nation, which was intended to demand President Félix Tshisekedi‘s resignation.

The decision, formalized in a communiqué signed by five coalition leaders—Martin Fayulu (ECiDé), Jean-Marc Kabund (A.Ch), Moïse Katumbi (Ensemble), Augustin Matata (LGD), and Delly Sesanga (Envol)—comes after calls from the Catholic Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Evangelical Church of Congo (ECC) on July 18, urging the coalition to give dialogue a genuine chance.

The Presidency of the Republic had also publicly announced its willingness to organize an ‘inclusive, peaceful, and republican dialogue’—one respecting institutions and the Constitution—following an audience with the religious leaders. The C64 described its postponement as a ‘gesture of responsibility’, emphasizing it does not signify a retreat from defending constitutional order or a weakening of its resolve.

The coalition reiterated its opposition to any constitutional amendments, underscoring that Articles 70 and 220 of the Constitution prohibit more than two presidential terms. It stressed that dialogue must address four critical issues: external aggression and insecurity in eastern DRC, governance crises, economic and social challenges, and reforms necessary for national reunification and peacebuilding.

The coalition demanded ‘confidence-building and de-escalation measures’ to reassure all stakeholders. It warned the government against provocative actions, particularly the pursuit of constitutional changes or the enactment of a referendum law.

C64 issued an ultimatum: if an inclusive national dialogue is not officially convened by August 15, 2026, or if pledged commitments remain unfulfilled, the coalition reserves the right to take ‘all necessary political actions’ and call for renewed peaceful civic mobilization. In the meantime, it declared all structures—domestic and diaspora—on maximum alert and mobilization.