On Monday, June 22, 2026, at the African Union City in Kinshasa, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, welcomed Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi and current Chair of the African Union, for a state visit. The two leaders engaged in a private discussion followed by an expanded bilateral meeting, focusing on deepening cooperation across shared priorities.
During these discussions, the Presidents addressed pressing regional security concerns, particularly the ongoing instability in eastern DR Congo, where Burundi has been actively supporting FARDC forces in countering Rwandan military occupation.
Strengthening cross-border health defenses
Another critical topic was the joint response to the resurgence of the Ebola virus (Bundibugyo strain), which has re-emerged in the eastern provinces. The leaders underscored the need for accelerated, coordinated efforts to bolster cross-border surveillance and containment measures to prevent further spread of the deadly virus.
The following day, President Ndayishimiye participated in a working session with the Ebola Response Taskforce, which oversees containment strategies in three eastern provinces hardest hit by the outbreak. His agenda also included a visit to the Central African Cultural and Artistic Center.
Closing with a joint statement
On Tuesday, June 23, the two Heads of State held a joint press conference to conclude this high-level engagement, marking the end of a productive visit centered on security and public health collaboration.
