- Politique
On an official mission to Burundi, Floribert Anzuluni, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Regional Integration, leading a Congolese delegation, was received this Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Gitega by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also serves as the current Chairperson of the African Union. This significant meeting involved the delivery of a special and confidential message from Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to his Burundian counterpart.
Following a discussion lasting over an hour, the Congolese Ministry of Regional Integration reported that Floribert Anzuluni clarified his presence as a special envoy of the Congolese Head of State.
According to Félix Tshisekedi’s emissary, the talks primarily addressed the bilateral relationship between the two nations, alongside the prevailing security situation in the Great Lakes region, with a particular focus on the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I was granted an audience by His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye as a special envoy of His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi. I had the honor of conveying a special and confidential message from the President of the Republic. This message primarily concerns strengthening bilateral ties between our two countries, as well as the security situation in the region, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a shared concern for our states,” the Congolese minister stated.
Floribert Anzuluni expressed profound gratitude to President Évariste Ndayishimiye for his careful consideration of President Félix Tshisekedi’s message. He further commended the active role played by the Burundian President, in his capacity as the African Union’s current Chairperson, in efforts aimed at fostering lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and across the Great Lakes region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Burundi share a rich history of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation. This dynamic was recently invigorated by the official visit of President Évariste Ndayishimiye to Kinshasa on June 22, at the invitation of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. Both heads of state have reaffirmed their joint commitment to restoring peace in the Great Lakes region, enhancing bilateral cooperation, and promoting regional integration.
Prior to his journey to Burundi, President Félix Tshisekedi’s envoy traveled to Uganda, where he was received by President Yoweri Museveni. He then proceeded to Lomé, Togo, for a meeting with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the Togolese President and African Union mediator in the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda regarding Kigali’s alleged military and logistical support for the AFC/M23 rebellion.
These high-level engagements unfold amidst ongoing hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The AFC/M23 rebellion, which Kinshasa and several international reports claim is supported by Rwanda, continues its offensive against government forces. The movement maintains control over significant areas of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces, steadily consolidating its positions on the ground, even as diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha have yet to pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict.
