The President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, Évariste Ndayishimiye, is expected in Kinshasa this Monday for a 48-hour official state visit. This high-level mission to the capital of the République démocratique du Congo comes at the invitation of his counterpart, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.
This visit highlights the deep-rooted historical connections between the Burundi and the République démocratique du Congo and their respective populations. President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi will travel to N’djili International Airport to personally welcome the Burundian leader upon his arrival.
Focus on regional security and health cooperation
The two heads of state are scheduled to hold private discussions at the Cité de l’Union africaine, which will be followed by a joint press conference. The agenda will focus on several issues of mutual interest, particularly the security crisis in the eastern République démocratique du Congo and the ongoing response to the Ebola virus outbreak. This visit coincides with Évariste Ndayishimiye‘s current tenure as the head of the African Union.
A reinforced military alliance in the Great Lakes
Within the Great Lakes region, Burundi and the République démocratique du Congo have established themselves as vital strategic partners, formalizing their relationship with a bilateral defense agreement signed in March 2023. To combat the instability in the eastern provinces and address the aggression from the AFC/M23 rebellion and its allies, Bujumbura has deployed thousands of troops to support the Congolese army (FARDC), specifically in Sud-Kivu and along the shared border.
This military collaboration is built on a shared commitment to regional stability. Defense officials from both nations consistently emphasize their dedication to this partnership. Currently, a significant number of Burundian soldiers are stationed in conflict zones to assist the FARDC in operations against various armed groups, reflecting a unified effort to bring lasting peace to the region.