Kinshasa hosts drc and Burundi presidents for crucial security and cooperation talks

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – On Monday, June 22, 2026, the Cité de l’Union africaine became the focal point for significant diplomatic discussions as President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo hosted Mr. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union. This high-level engagement marked a pivotal moment during President Ndayishimiye’s state visit to the DRC.

The two heads of state commenced their agenda with an intimate one-on-one meeting, which subsequently expanded into a broader bilateral session. Their deliberations centered on fortifying the collaborative ties between their respective nations across a spectrum of shared interests, reflecting a commitment to enhanced regional stability and progress.

A primary focus of their dialogue was the volatile security landscape in Eastern DRC. President Tshisekedi and President Ndayishimiye addressed Burundi’s active role in supporting the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against what they described as Rwandan military occupation forces in the region.

Beyond security, the leaders also tackled urgent joint strategies for combating the Ebola virus epidemic, specifically the Bundibugyo strain. They underscored the critical necessity of intensifying cross-border surveillance mechanisms to effectively contain and prevent the further spread of the virus.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s itinerary for Tuesday, June 23, is set to include a visit to the Central African Countries’ Cultural and Artistic Centre. Following this, he will participate in a key meeting with members of the Taskforce responsible for orchestrating the health response to the resurgent Ebola outbreak, which is particularly impacting three provinces in the eastern part of the country.

The high-level discussions are scheduled to conclude on Tuesday with a joint press conference, where both Presidents will share insights from their fruitful deliberations.