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

Following a private discussion that lasted over an hour, the Congolese Ministry of Regional Integration reported that Floribert Anzuluni confirmed he was received in his capacity as a special envoy from the Congolese Head of State.

According to President Tshisekedi’s emissary, the discussions primarily centered on bolstering bilateral relations between the two nations and addressing the critical security situation prevalent in the Great Lakes region, particularly within the eastern territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

« I was granted an audience by His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye as a special envoy from His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi. I had the honor of delivering a special and confidential message from the President of the Republic. This message primarily concerns the enhancement of bilateral relations between our two countries, and also the security situation in the region, especially in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a shared concern for our states » the Congolese minister stated.

Floribert Anzuluni conveyed his profound gratitude to President Évariste Ndayishimiye for the thoughtful attention given to President Félix Tshisekedi’s message. He further lauded the Burundian President’s proactive role, in his capacity as the African Union’s sitting Chairperson, in driving efforts aimed at fostering enduring peace within the Democratic Republic of Congo and across the broader Great Lakes region.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Burundi maintain a rich history of friendship, solidarity, and robust cooperation. This dynamic bond was recently strengthened by President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s official visit to Kinshasa on June 22, undertaken at the invitation of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. Both heads of state have consistently reaffirmed their shared dedication to re-establishing peace in the Great Lakes region, deepening bilateral cooperation, and advancing regional integration initiatives.

Prior to his crucial visit to Burundi, President Félix Tshisekedi’s special envoy had traveled to Uganda, where he was received by President Yoweri Museveni. His diplomatic itinerary also included a stop in Lomé, Togo, for a meeting with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who holds the position of President of the Togolese Council of Ministers and acts as the African Union’s designated mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda regarding alleged military and logistical support for the AFC/M23 rebellion.

These high-level diplomatic engagements unfold against a backdrop of persistent hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The AFC/M23 rebellion, which Kinshasa and numerous international reports assert is supported by Rwanda, continues its offensive against government forces. The movement still controls significant portions of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces and is actively consolidating its positions on the ground, while diplomatic initiatives launched in Washington and Doha have yet to successfully pave the way for a sustainable resolution to this protracted conflict.