Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi have signed vital agreements in Kinshasa aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
Both leaders have stressed the necessity of several beneficial projects such as constructing bridges for vehicles and pedestrians on the Ruzizi river, between the provinces of South Kivu and Cibitoke in DRC and Burundi, respectively; agricultural exploitation in the Ruzizi plain; the rehabilitation and electrification of the Bujumbura-Uvira-Bukavu-Goma road; and the development of the Gitega-Uvira-Kindu standard gauge railway.
The agreements also included cooperation on development; maintenance and strengthening of peace, defense, and security; trade facilitation; and political and diplomatic consultations.
President Ndayishimiye noted that they have explored ways and means to combine efforts to face common challenges for the benefit of citizen and the agreements will revitalize trade, social, political and diplomatic exchanges between both countries.”
Cooperation between the two countries will result in them securing their land and sea borders in a bid to eradicate rebels, President Ndayishimiye added.
Tshisekedi remarked it is important to “capitalize on the close ties of brotherhood maintained for ages between the Burundians and the Congolese people.”
The signing of the railway construction agreement between both countries is expected to boost economic activity, create jobs and wealth, and reduce poverty.”