Kinshasa, June 23rd, 2026 (CPA).- President Felix Tshisekedi has announced an upcoming trip to Ituri, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to personally ensure the Ebola virus disease response, during a joint press briefing with his Burundian counterpart, Evariste Ndayishimiye, in Kinshasa.
“The protection of our people’s health remains a collective imperative and an essential pillar of our continent’s stability, resilience and sustainable development. I would also like to take this opportunity to announce my imminent visit to Ituri province to monitor the situation personally,” has declared the Head of State Tshisekedi. According to him, they have reaffirmed their joint commitment to strengthening cooperation in the health sector at this crucial time when the region is threatened by the Ebola virus.
“We have reaffirmed that the health challenges facing Africa require greater solidarity between States, an enhanced cooperation and a permanent mobilisation of continental mechanisms for prevention, early warning and response to health emergencies,” has indicated the Congolese President. Regarding the security situation in eastern DRC, Felix Tshisekedi and his host have exchanged views at length on the on-going efforts aiming to restore peace, security, stability and State authority in the affected areas on a sustainable basis.
“I have reaffirmed to my brother, President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) constant commitment to a just, lasting and verifiable peace. Our country remains fully committed to the on-going diplomatic initiatives, notably the Washington and Doha processes, as well as to African mediation efforts, whilst respecting our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and the principles of international law,” he has declared.
Coming soon: a meeting of the ICGLR Troika
Furthermore, the Congolese and Burundian Heads of State have discussed the role of regional mechanisms in the consolidation of peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, a subject on which a meeting of the Troika of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) is scheduled for September.
“In this regard, we have confirmed the holding, next September, of the meeting of the Troika of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). This meeting will be an important step to strengthen regional political coordination, ensure the follow-up of existing commitments and support collective efforts towards peace, security and cooperation in our region,” has specified Felix Tshisekedi, Head of State. “We share the conviction that it is essential to continue efforts towards dialogue, to strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms and to ensure the effective implementation of the commitments already made,” he has emphasised. CPA/