On an official mission to Burundi, Floribert Anzuluni, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Regional Integration, leading a Congolese delegation, was granted an audience in Gitega on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. He met with Évariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union. This significant meeting involved the delivery of a special and confidential message from the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, to his Burundian counterpart.

Following a discussion that lasted over an hour, the Congolese Ministry of Regional Integration reported that Minister Anzuluni confirmed his reception as a special envoy for the Congolese Head of State.

The discussions, according to President Tshisekedi’s emissary, primarily centered on strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations and addressing the prevailing security challenges in the Great Lakes region, particularly the volatile situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

“I was received in audience by His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye as a special envoy of His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi,” the Congolese minister stated. He added, “I had the honor of delivering a special and confidential message from the President of the Republic. This message primarily concerns the enhancement of bilateral relations between our two countries, and also addresses the security situation in the region, especially in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a shared concern for our states.”

Minister Anzuluni conveyed his gratitude to President Ndayishimiye for the careful consideration given to President Tshisekedi’s message. He further commended the Burundian President’s active involvement, in his capacity as the African Union’s current Chairperson, in initiatives aimed at fostering lasting peace within the Democratic Republic of Congo and across the broader Great Lakes region.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Burundi share a long-standing history of friendship, solidarity, and collaborative efforts. This positive momentum was recently solidified by President Ndayishimiye’s official visit to Kinshasa on June 22, at the invitation of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. Both heads of state have consistently reiterated their joint commitment to restoring peace throughout the Great Lakes region, bolstering bilateral cooperation, and advancing regional integration initiatives.

Prior to his visit to Burundi, President Tshisekedi’s envoy had journeyed to Uganda, where he was received by President Yoweri Museveni. His itinerary then took him to Lomé, Togo, for a meeting with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the President of the Togolese Republic’s Council of Ministers and the African Union’s designated mediator in the ongoing dispute between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, concerning Kigali’s alleged military and logistical backing for the AFC/M23 rebellion.

These high-level diplomatic engagements unfold against a backdrop of persistent hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The AFC/M23 rebellion, which Kinshasa and several international reports allege receives support from Rwanda, continues its offensive against government forces. The movement maintains control over significant areas within the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, steadily fortifying its positions on the ground. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts initiated in Washington and Doha have yet to pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict.