On August 27th, 2023, the President of Burundi commenced a visit to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Évariste Ndayishimiye currently holds the presidency of the East African Community (EAC), a sub-regional organization with a military force deployed in the North Kivu region in eastern DRC.
The Burundian President is currently in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon his arrival on the evening of August 27th, Évariste Ndayishimiye was received by the Congolese Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde.
During the morning of August 28th, he is scheduled to hold talks with his counterpart, President Félix Tshisekedi, followed by a press conference in the afternoon. Unquestionably, defense and security matters will be central to these discussions.
Évariste Ndayishimiye already met the Congolese President last night during a dinner held subsequently at the Mont Ngaliema Presidential Palace. This morning, an official working session between the two heads of state took place. The session culminated with the signing of a protocol agreement aimed at enhancing political and military relations. The details of this agreement are expected to be partially revealed during the concluding press conference, which commenced at the Presidential Palace at midday.
Both heads of state emphasized their commitment to upholding the roadmaps established within the frameworks of the Nairobi and Luanda processes, particularly about the conflict involving the M23 rebel movement. They also noted the absence of a cantonment for members of the rebellion and called for its implementation as swiftly as possible. This visit underscores the significance of regional cooperation in addressing security challenges and fostering stability.