Burundi is reportedly accelerating the withdrawal of some of its troops stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the country grapples with a significant influx of refugees, the highest in 25 years, according to a senior military source. This development comes amidst renewed violence in eastern DRC, where fighters from the Rwandan-backed M23 group have made substantial territorial gains, including the capture of major cities like Goma and Bukavu.
The UN has expressed concern regarding the ongoing advances of the M23 fighters towards other strategic locations in the provinces of North and South Kivu. A military officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the extraction of Burundian soldiers deployed in the Rusizi plain of the DRC had been initiated. Although the officer refrained from disclosing the number of troops being withdrawn, he did mention that one battalion was dispatched to ensure the safe withdrawal of soldiers from South Kivu.
Since October 2023, Burundi has dispatched over 10,000 troops to assist the Congolese army in combating the M23 and other armed factions. However, the situation on the ground has deteriorated, with reports indicating that the Burundian forces are facing severe resupply issues. The officer attributed this predicament to the disorganized Congolese military forces, leading to complaints of a lack of food and ammunition among Burundian troops.
In tandem with military developments, Burundi is witnessing a surge of refugees fleeing violence in DRC. According to Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, the UNHCR representative in Burundi, the country is experiencing the largest influx of refugees since the early 2000s. In recent days, around 30,000 individuals have crossed into Burundi, escaping the ongoing conflict exacerbated by the M23’s presence near the Burundian border.
One refugee, Kitenge, recounted the harrowing experience of fleeing with his family as armed groups began to fire indiscriminately. He underscored the urgency of their situation, emphasizing that survival necessitated their hasty departure from their home. Meanwhile, some refugees, including elderly women, expressed desperation, revealing their struggles to secure basic necessities like food and shelter.
The Burundian government indicated plans to relocate incoming refugees to eastern regions of the country to ensure their safety, with assurances that they would receive official refugee status. Prior to the recent violence, Burundi had already been hosting approximately 90,000 refugees, mostly from previous conflicts in eastern DRC.
In a related security development, around 500 Congolese military personnel arrived in the border town of Gatumba, where they were disarmed and undergo thorough checks. This has raised additional concerns about the potential for escalating tensions in the region.
Bintou Keita, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, voiced grave concerns over M23’s advancing forces, which are nearing the critical junction of DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. UN Secretary-General’s envoy Huang Xia also warned of the heightened risk of regional conflict, echoing fears reminiscent of the Second Congo War, a devastating conflict that involved multiple African countries.
In response to the situation, the United States has imposed sanctions on Rwandan government minister James Kabarebe, marking a significant move in the international response to the crisis. Despite the sanctions, Rwanda continues to deny accusations of involvement in the conflict, asserting that it is confronting threats from ethnic Hutu fighters operating in the DRC.
