The capital of the République démocratique du Congo is hosting Évariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, for a pivotal 48-hour state visit starting this Monday, June 22, 2026.

This diplomatic mission comes at the invitation of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi. The arrival of the Burundian head of state in Kinshasa underscores the deep historical and fraternal connections that exist between the people of Burundi and the RDC.

A strategic agenda for regional stability

President Tshisekedi is scheduled to personally receive his counterpart at N’djili International Airport. The two leaders will hold private discussions at the Cité de l’Union africaine, followed by a joint press conference to share the outcomes of their meeting.

The dialogue will focus on several critical issues of mutual interest, most notably the security challenges in the eastern RDC and the ongoing health response to the Ebola virus. This visit is of particular importance as Ndayishimiye currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union.

Consolidating the bilateral defense alliance

Within the Grands Lacs region, Burundi and the RDC have solidified their status as essential strategic allies. This partnership was formalized in March 2023 through a bilateral defense agreement designed to combat rising insecurity. In the face of aggression from the AFC/M23 rebellion and other armed groups in Sud-Kivu, Bujumbura has deployed thousands of soldiers to work alongside the FARDC.

This military cooperation is a central pillar of their relationship. Defense ministers from both nations continue to collaborate closely to strengthen this partnership, ensuring that Burundian forces remain active on the front lines to support the FARDC and secure their shared borders. Both nations remain committed to achieving a sustainable peace across the region.