Burundi president évariste ndayishimiye’s state visit to Kinshasa

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

This significant high-level engagement follows a direct invitation from his Congolese counterpart, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi. The Congolese Presidency’s communication office confirmed details of the impending arrival late Sunday evening, June 21, 2026.

The Burundian head of state’s visit is a testament to the profound historical ties and deep-rooted connections that bind the two nations and their respective populations.

In a gesture of profound hospitality, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi will personally be at N’djili International Airport to welcome his distinguished guest. Following the official reception, the two leaders are slated for extensive one-on-one discussions at the Cité de l’Union africaine, culminating in a joint press conference.

Their agenda will encompass critical issues of mutual concern, including the persistent security challenges in eastern DRC and the ongoing collective efforts to combat the Ebola virus disease. This visit gains additional weight given President Ndayishimiye’s concurrent role as the presiding Chairperson of the African Union.

Within the dynamic Great Lakes region, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo have solidified their position as strategic allies, formalizing their partnership with a bilateral defense agreement in March 2023. Addressing the pervasive insecurity in eastern DRC and the aggression attributed to Rwanda through the AFC/M23 rebellion and its allied factions operating in Sud-Kivu, Bujumbura has deployed thousands of troops. These forces are actively supporting the Congolese army (FARDC) and reinforcing security along their shared border.

This robust military collaboration is structured around multiple strategic axes of cooperation. Defense ministers from both countries consistently reaffirm their unwavering commitment to strengthening this vital strategic partnership. Thousands of Burundian military personnel are presently stationed in Sud-Kivu and other frontline areas, providing essential operational support to the FARDC in their campaigns against various armed groups.

Ultimately, both nations are united by common security imperatives and demonstrate a resolute, shared commitment to fostering enduring peace and stability across the entire Great Lakes region.