France, July 22 -- The C64 platform, which brings together several opposition parties, had called on supporters to march in Kinshasa on 22 July to defend the Constitution and oppose any attempt to extend Tshisekedi's time in power.

But following a request from the country's influential Catholic and Protestant churches, which have been asked to facilitate the dialogue, the coalition agreed to call off the demonstration planned for Wednesday.

The decision came after several meetings and hours of sometimes heated debate among C64's members.

"It was tense," one opposition figure told RFI, as coalition leaders sought to demonstrate goodwill towards a religious mediation process they have demanded for more than a year - while also reassuring...