Official visit of the President of Burundi to Kinshasa
The President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, is expected in Kinshasa this Sunday, August 27 for a two-day official visit. This visit is of great importance for bilateral relations between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The two presidents, Évariste Ndayishimiye and Félix Tshisekedi, will have the opportunity to discuss various topics of common interest during scheduled talks.
One of the highlights of this visit will be the signing of a military agreement between the two countries, scheduled for Monday. This agreement will strengthen military cooperation and coordination between Burundi and the DRC in the fight against armed groups operating in the region. It should be noted that Burundian troops have already been deployed on Congolese soil as part of the regional force of the Community of East African States.
This visit also has an important regional geopolitical dimension. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi sees Évariste Ndayishimiye as a strategic ally against other regional players such as Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni. The two presidents share a common concern: the fight against armed groups that threaten security in their respective countries. Tshisekedi faces Congolese armed groups, while Ndayishimiye faces the RED-Tabara rebellion, active since 2015 and operating in the DRC.
President Ndayishimiye’s visit to Kinshasa strengthens ties between Burundi and the DRC. The two presidents have already signed two memorandums of understanding, demonstrating their desire to strengthen their cooperation in various areas, including the construction of a railway line linking the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, to Kindu, via Bukavu and Kamituga.
It is important to underline that the DRC and Burundi are the only French-speaking countries that are members of the Community of East African States (EAC). This linguistic proximity strengthens the ties between the two countries and promotes their collaboration within this regional organization.
In conclusion, the official visit of the President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, to Kinshasa bears witness to the importance of relations between Burundi and the DRC. The talks between the two presidents and the signing of the military agreement will strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fight against armed groups and contribute to the stability of the region. This visit also marks an important step in the strengthening of bilateral relations between Burundi and the DRC