Burundi’s president and au chair arrives in Kinshasa for vital state visit

Évariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, is set to arrive in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this Monday for a significant 48-hour state visit.

The Presidency’s communication unit in the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed the news, stating that the AU Chairperson’s visit to Kinshasa follows an official invitation extended by his Congolese counterpart, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.

This high-level state visit by the Burundian Head of State serves as a powerful testament to the deep historical bonds that unite both nations and their respective populations: Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On this momentous occasion, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi will personally travel to N’djili International Airport to extend a warm welcome to his distinguished guest. Following the arrival, the two heads of state are scheduled to hold private, face-to-face discussions at the Cité de l’Union africaine, which will culminate in a joint press conference.

“Discussions between the two leaders will focus on matters of mutual interest, particularly the critical security situation in eastern RDC and the ongoing response efforts against the Ebola virus disease. This visit takes place as President Ndayishimiye holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union,” Félix Tshisekedi’s office specified.

Within the Great Lakes region, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) stand as strategic allies, bound by a bilateral defense agreement formalized in March 2023. In response to the persistent insecurity in eastern RDC and the aggression attributed to Rwanda through the AFC/M23 rebellion and its associated groups active in South Kivu, Bujumbura has deployed thousands of its soldiers to bolster the Congolese army (FARDC) and secure their shared border.

This military alliance encompasses several crucial areas of cooperation. The Defense Ministers from both countries consistently reaffirm their unwavering commitment to strengthening this strategic partnership. Thousands of Burundian military personnel are currently stationed in South Kivu and other front-line zones, providing vital support to the FARDC in their operations against various armed factions.

Both nations thus confront shared security challenges and demonstrate a unified dedication to achieving lasting peace and stability throughout the Great Lakes region.