Burundi president Évariste Ndayishimiye arrives in Kinshasa for strategic state visit

Évariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, is scheduled to arrive in Kinshasa this Monday for a two-day official state visit to the République démocratique du Congo.

This diplomatic mission follows a formal invitation from his Congolese counterpart, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi. The visit highlights the long-standing historical connection between the nations of Burundi and the RDC.

President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi will personally welcome the Burundian leader at N’djili International Airport. Following the arrival, the two heads of state are set to engage in private discussions at the Cité de l’Union africaine, which will be followed by a joint media briefing.

Security and health at the heart of discussions

The agenda for this high-level meeting focuses on several critical issues of mutual interest. Primary among these are the ongoing security challenges in the eastern regions of the RDC and the coordinated response to the Ebola virus outbreak. This visit is particularly significant as President Ndayishimiye currently leads the African Union.

The RDC and Burundi maintain a vital strategic partnership within the Great Lakes region, solidified by a bilateral defense pact established in March 2023. In response to the persistent instability in Eastern RDC and external aggression involving the AFC/M23 rebellion, Bujumbura has committed thousands of troops to support the FARDC. These Burundian forces are actively deployed in South Kivu and other frontline areas to help secure the shared border and neutralize armed groups.

This military cooperation underscores a shared commitment to achieving lasting peace and stability across the region, as defense officials from both capitals continue to strengthen their collaborative efforts against common security threats.