Burundi Troops Deploy in Eastern DRC Amid Aid Suspension to Rwanda

Burundi troops are deploying in eastern DRC in response to the M23 offensive, which has seen UK suspend aid to Rwanda due to its alleged support for the group. The M23 has captured key cities amidst decades of unrest, prompting international concerns over the violence and humanitarian crisis. Efforts for a ceasefire led by former leaders from various African nations are underway to address the escalating situation.

Burundi troops, allies of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have begun deploying in the eastern region as the United Kingdom announced a suspension of most direct bilateral aid to Rwanda. This action comes in response to the renewed offensive by the M23 fighters, alleged to be supported by Rwandan soldiers according to UN experts. Recently, the M23 has captured significant cities in eastern DRC since restarting hostilities in late 2021, exacerbating an area plagued by decades of violence and war.

The UK government indicated that while Rwanda has its security concerns, military resolutions are unacceptable, emphasizing the need for political solutions to the conflict. Aid to Rwanda will be stalled until tangible progress is made to reduce the ongoing violence. The M23 has recently seized Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, and Goma, North Kivu’s capital, enabling the group to solidify its control over this mineral-rich area.

Without significant opposition from the DRC military, the M23 has advanced through the region, compounded by reports of atrocities committed by fleeing soldiers. They are reportedly nearing Uvira, strategically located near Lake Tanganyika, while Burundian forces are mobilizing to counter this advance. Local citizens have observed the movement of heavily armed Burundian soldiers toward Luvungi and indicated that local pro-Kinshasa militias are joining them.

In light of the escalating violence, South African troops wounded in the conflict have returned home for medical care, as part of an initiative backed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Amid the turmoil, African nations have appointed former leaders to facilitate a peace initiative, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor arrived to investigate the violence.

Regional blocs EAC and SADC are collaborating to establish a ceasefire, with efforts being coordinated by former leaders from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. They aim for an immediate ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid, planning a ministerial meeting to refine their strategy further. According to DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, over 7,000 fatalities have occurred in the region since January, highlighting the grave security situation as recognized by various international bodies.
The U.N.’s humanitarian agency has reported thousands of deaths following the recent M23 offensive, raising concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in this area, as local hospitals report significant casualty numbers and ongoing human rights violations.

The deployment of Burundi troops in eastern DRC alongside the UK’s suspension of aid to Rwanda underscores the intensifying conflict in the region, driven by the resurgence of M23 fighters. The collaboration among African nations for a peace process reflects the urgency in addressing the escalating violence that has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread humanitarian challenges. A cohesive political solution remains imperative to stabilize the area.

Original Source: www.kulr8.com