Kinshasa, April 21st, 2026 (CPA).- The challenges posed to the Great Lakes region by the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo were discussed during an exchange between the United States Special Advisor for Africa and the President of Burundi, according to the U.S. representative’s X account.
“We discussed various areas of bilateral cooperation and common interest, including economic development opportunities in Burundi and the wider Great Lakes region, as well as the critical need for peace and the challenges posed to the region by the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC,” said Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa at the U.S. Department of State. Mr. Boulos met with Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also serves as Chair of the African Union, to discuss several areas of cooperation. Both sides also addressed the strengthening of U.S.–Burundi relations, which were described as having strong potential for further development.
Cooperation with the African Union was also discussed, particularly in the context of peace and mediation efforts across the continent. “We also greatly appreciate our cooperation with President Ndayishimiye in his role as Chair of the African Union, and we discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation to support peace and mediation efforts in Africa,” the U.S. official emphasized.