Félix Tshisekedi’s special envoy furthers DRC regional diplomacy in Gitega

Floribert Anzuluni, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Regional Integration, recently led a Congolese delegation on an official mission to Burundi. On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Anzuluni was received in Gitega by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also serves as the current Chairperson of the African Union. This high-level meeting involved the delivery of a crucial and confidential message from DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi to his Burundian counterpart.

Following an extensive discussion lasting over an hour, Minister Anzuluni confirmed that he participated in the audience as President Tshisekedi’s special envoy. His diplomatic efforts aim to strengthen vital bilateral relations between the two nations and address the pressing security challenges in the Great Lakes region, particularly in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“I had the distinct honor of being received by His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye as a special envoy from His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi. I conveyed a special and confidential message from our President. The core of our discussions focused on enhancing the bilateral ties between our countries and tackling the security situation in the region, especially in eastern DRC, which remains a shared concern for both our states,” the Congolese minister articulated.

Anzuluni expressed profound gratitude to President Ndayishimiye for his attentive reception of President Tshisekedi’s message. He also commended the Burundian President’s proactive leadership, in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union, in championing sustainable peace initiatives for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the broader Great Lakes region.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Burundi share a rich history of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation. This enduring dynamic was recently bolstered 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 reaffirmed their joint commitment to restoring peace across the Great Lakes, fostering robust bilateral cooperation, and advancing regional integration efforts.

Before his arrival in Burundi, President Tshisekedi’s special emissary had engaged in other significant diplomatic meetings. He first traveled to Uganda, where he was received by President Yoweri Museveni. Subsequently, he visited Lomé, Togo, where he met with President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who is also the Chairperson of the Togolese Council of Ministers and the African Union’s mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda concerning Kigali’s alleged military and logistical backing for the AFC/M23 rebellion.

These series of diplomatic engagements unfold amidst persistent hostilities in eastern DRC. The AFC/M23 rebellion, which Kinshasa and various international reports assert is supported by Rwanda, continues its offensive against government forces. The rebel movement maintains control over significant territories in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces and is actively consolidating its positions. Meanwhile, diplomatic endeavors initiated in Washington and Doha have yet to pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict, underscoring the urgency of the current DRC regional diplomacy.