Burundi, currently holding the rotating chairmanship of the African Union and a key signatory to the Washington Peace Accord between Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, brokered by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, expresses profound disappointment. This pivotal initiative, spearheaded by the Trump administration, has regrettably failed to deliver the anticipated peace and stability on the ground, as hostilities persist between government forces and the AFC/M23 rebellion, reportedly backed by Rwanda, across eastern RDC.

This sentiment was conveyed by Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, Ambassador Édouard Bizimana, during his recent meeting with his Congolese counterpart, Floribert Anzuluni, the Minister of Regional Integration. During their discussions in Bujumbura on Monday, June 1st, the Burundian official underscored that despite some Congolese citizens returning home, numerous areas remain engulfed in insecurity. He emphasized the urgent need for robust international involvement to address the escalating crisis.

“Regarding regional peace and security, Minister Édouard Bizimana lamented the lack of full adherence to the agreements signed between the RDC and Rwanda, facilitated by Washington. He highlighted that while some progress has enabled refugees to return, other regions are experiencing a resurgence of insecurity, leading to fresh displacements into neighboring countries. He stressed the imperative for increased international engagement to bolster existing regional initiatives,” stated the Burundian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X.

During the same high-level meeting, both dignitaries commended the strong bilateral and diplomatic ties between Burundi and the RDC, expressing a mutual desire to further strengthen these relations. Beyond the pressing security situation in eastern RDC, several other matters of common interest were discussed. These included the site for the future Burundian embassy in Kinshasa, the management of the Executive Secretariat of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL), and preparations for the upcoming ordinary summit of CIRGL Heads of State and Government, an organization currently chaired by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For his part, Congolese Minister Floribert Anzuluni conveyed his deep appreciation for Burundi’s diplomatic efforts, particularly its role in mobilizing humanitarian aid for Congolese refugees residing in camps within Burundi. Concerning the CIRGL, Minister Anzuluni informed his counterpart that a Troika meeting is being organized to review the regional security landscape and assess member states’ statutory contributions.

Ambassador Édouard Bizimana reiterated Burundi’s unwavering commitment to silencing the guns across the African continent. This objective was a cornerstone of the vision articulated by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye during his acceptance speech as the new Chairperson of the African Union, succeeding Angolan President João Lourenço.

Within the Great Lakes region, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) are strategic allies, bound by a bilateral defense agreement formalized in March 2023. In response to the persistent insecurity in eastern RDC and what Kinshasa describes as Rwandan aggression via the AFC/M23 rebellion and its associated groups operating in Sud-Kivu, Bujumbura has deployed thousands of soldiers to support the Congolese army (FARDC) and secure their shared border. This military alliance encompasses various avenues of cooperation.

Despite the signing of the joint communiqué in Montreux, Switzerland, from April 13th to 17th, 2026, between representatives of the RDC government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23)—with mediation from the United States, Qatar, and Togo (representing the African Union)—and previous rounds of discussions in Doha, the situation remains fraught with mutual accusations of ceasefire violations and non-compliance with commitments. Similarly, the Washington peace process has seen no significant improvement, with each party interpreting the Accord’s terms differently, hindering its implementation. This ongoing diplomatic deadlock, observed by mediators like the United States and Qatar, continues to severely impact the security situation, perpetuating combat in eastern RDC.