- Politique
Floribert Anzuluni, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Regional Integration, recently concluded a significant diplomatic visit to Burundi. Leading a Congolese delegation, Anzuluni was received in Gitega on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also holds the esteemed position of current Chairperson of the African Union. The high-level meeting saw Anzuluni deliver a confidential and special message from Congolese President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi to his Burundian counterpart.
Following an extensive discussion lasting over an hour, Minister Anzuluni confirmed his status as President Tshisekedi’s special envoy, underscoring the critical nature of his mission.
The envoy elaborated that the dialogue primarily focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations and addressing the prevailing security landscape across the Great Lakes region, with particular emphasis on the volatile situation in eastern 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 distinct honor of conveying a special and confidential message from our President. This message primarily concerns the enhancement of bilateral relations between our two countries, alongside a crucial focus on the security situation in the region, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a shared concern for both our nations.”
Anzuluni conveyed his profound gratitude to President Ndayishimiye for the thoughtful reception of President Tshisekedi’s message. He further commended the Burundian President’s proactive leadership, especially in his capacity as the current African Union Chairperson, in championing sustainable peace initiatives within the Democratic Republic of Congo and the broader Great Lakes area.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Burundi share a deep-rooted history of friendship, solidarity, and collaborative efforts. This robust relationship was recently invigorated by President Ndayishimiye’s official visit to Kinshasa on June 22, at the invitation of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. Both heads of state have consistently reiterated their shared commitment to restoring peace throughout the Great Lakes region, bolstering bilateral cooperation, and advancing regional integration.
Prior to his arrival in Burundi, President Tshisekedi’s envoy embarked on earlier legs of his diplomatic journey. He first visited Uganda, where he engaged with President Yoweri Museveni. Subsequently, Anzuluni traveled to Lomé, Togo, for a meeting with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who serves as both the President of the Togolese Republic’s Council of Ministers and the African Union’s designated mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, particularly concerning Kigali’s alleged military and logistical backing for the AFC/M23 rebellion.
These crucial diplomatic engagements unfold against a backdrop of persistent hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The AFC/M23 rebellion, which Kinshasa and various international reports assert receives support from Rwanda, continues its offensive against government forces. The insurgent group maintains control over significant areas within the Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces, steadily fortifying its territorial gains. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts initiated in Washington and Doha have yet to yield a definitive path towards a lasting resolution of the protracted conflict.
