Burundian president ndayishimiye begins 48-hour state visit to Kinshasa

Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union (AU), is set to arrive in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this Monday, June 22, 2026, for a significant 48-hour state visit.

This high-profile visit to Kinshasa by the sitting AU Chairperson comes at the invitation of his Congolese counterpart, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi. The announcement of the visit was made Sunday evening, June 21, 2026, by the communication unit of the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The state visit by the Burundian Head of State underscores the deep historical bonds that unite the two nations and their respective populations, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As part of the visit, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi will personally travel to N’djili International Airport to welcome his distinguished guest. Following the official reception, the two heads of state are scheduled to hold private, face-to-face discussions at the Cité de l’Union Africaine, which will then be followed by a joint press conference.

“Discussions between the two leaders will focus on matters of mutual interest, particularly the security situation in eastern DRC, as well as the ongoing response to the Ebola virus disease. This visit takes place as President Ndayishimiye holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union,” stated President Tshisekedi’s office.

Within the Great Lakes region, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) maintain a strategic alliance, solidified by a bilateral defense agreement inked in March 2023. In response to persistent insecurity in eastern DRC and the aggression orchestrated by Rwanda through the AFC/M23 rebellion and its allies active in South Kivu, Bujumbura has deployed thousands of its soldiers to bolster the Congolese army (FARDC) and enhance security along their shared border.

This crucial military alliance encompasses several key areas of cooperation. Defense ministers from both countries regularly reaffirm their unwavering commitment to strengthening this strategic partnership. Thousands of Burundian military personnel are currently stationed in South Kivu and other frontline zones, providing vital support to the FARDC in their operations against various armed groups.

These two nations thus confront shared security challenges with a unified front, demonstrating a joint dedication to achieving lasting peace and stability throughout the Great Lakes region.