The President of the Republic of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, Évariste Ndayishimiye, is scheduled to arrive in Kinshasa this Monday for a significant 48-hour state visit.

Following a formal invitation from his Congolese counterpart, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, the Burundian leader’s stay in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the deep-rooted historical connections between the two nations and their citizens.

President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi will personally travel to N’djili International Airport to welcome his distinguished guest. The diplomatic itinerary includes private head-to-head discussions at the Cité de l’Union africaine, which will be followed by a joint press conference to address the media.

The agenda for these high-level talks focuses on critical regional issues, most notably the security crisis in eastern Congo and the ongoing efforts to manage the Ebola virus outbreak. This visit is particularly significant as President Ndayishimiye currently holds the rotating leadership of the African Union.

Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) maintain a robust strategic partnership within the Great Lakes region, bolstered by a bilateral defense agreement established in March 2023. In response to the persistent instability in the east and external pressures from the AFC/M23 rebellion, Bujumbura has committed thousands of troops to support the Congolese army (FARDC), specifically focusing on stabilizing South Kivu and securing the shared border.

This military cooperation remains a cornerstone of their relationship, with defense officials from both capitals frequently meeting to strengthen their joint operations. Thousands of Burundian soldiers are currently stationed on various fronts alongside the FARDC to combat armed groups, reflecting a unified commitment to establishing lasting peace across the Great Lakes territory.