Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, His Excellency Ambassador Edouard BIZIMANA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, met with the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, as well as Representatives of International and Regional Organizations accredited to Burundi, to assess the security situationin the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In his speech, His Excellency the Minister thanked all those who responded to the invitation for the exchange session on the security situation in eastern DRC,as well as the Congolese residing in Burundi. He stated that Burundi, as a neighboring country and a member of the regional community, is closely following up the evolution of this situation, while also acknowledging the humanitarian issue related to the influx of Congolese refugees into its territory.
His Excellency the Minister continued by reaffirming that this exchange session aimed at reinforcing the call for international solidarity made on December 17, 2026, given that Burundi has opted for a concerted response to ensure adequate and sustainable assistance.
His Excellency the Minister added that this regular meeting aims at sharing analyses, strengthen mutual understanding, and jointly explore ways for cooperation to contribute to peace, security, and stability in the region. Therefore, he expressed his readiness to consider reflections, contributions, and recommendations to identify concrete actions.
Taking the floor, the Representative of the UNHCR thanked all those who have contributed to helping Congolese refugees, particularly the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, which has continued to assist its citizens who have become refugees. The Representative of the European Union confirmed the EU’s commitment to helping refugees, while Japan promised imminent aid of one million dollars.
Regarding the threats from M23, RED TABARA, and FNL, the Minister stated that Burundi remains committed to peace, regional stability, and respect for humanitarian
commitments, while remaining very vigilant and attentive to any threats to its territory.
Ambassador Edouard BIZIMANA informed the audience about the progress of
Burundian rebels working in collusion with the AFC/M23 and Rwanda in the Rusizi plain, while reassuring that security remains good in Burundi. He added that Burundi will spare no effort to preserve security.
Before proceeding to the question-and-answer session, His Excellency the Minister invited participants to watch a documentary film presenting detailed information
about the security situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the humanitarian consequences that arise from it, particularly the arrival of Congolese refugees on Burundian soil.
Minister Edouard BIZIMANA concluded by reiterating his thanks to all those who responded to the invitation and wished them a safe return. Subsequently, he granted an interview to journalists to provide further clarifications.