Burundi has officially joined the SADC forces combating M23 rebels in the Eastern DRC, potentially escalating the conflict regionally.
The decision was made following a meeting between presidents Felix Tshesikedi (DRC), Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), and Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) yesterday.
Mr. Tshesikedi stated that Burundi would coordinate with South Africa on ground operations against the M23 rebels.
“The three Heads of State discussed the best coordination of operations on the ground,” the DRC presidency said in a statement, highlighting South Africa and Burundi’s involvement in the SAMIDRC troop-contributing countries.
While Burundi is not a SADC member, it is part of the East Africa Community and previously deployed troops in Eastern DRC under the East African Community Regional Forces, withdrawn last December.
It shares a border with Rwanda, accused of supporting the Tutsi-dominated M23 rebels in Eastern DRC.
President Ndayishimiye accused Rwandan President Paul Kagame of backing Red Tabara, a Burundian rebel group, leading to tensions between the two nations and border closures.
Rwanda, in turn, accuses Burundi of supporting rebels attacking its southern regions.
The escalation in Eastern DRC tensions risks dragging the region into another conflict.
Tanzania, South Africa, and Malawi, under SADC, support Congolese and UN forces against the M23 rebels, preventing them from capturing strategic locations.
The United States urged the M23 rebels to withdraw from Sake and cease besieging Goma City, expressing concern for civilians’ safety and condemning Rwanda’s support for M23.
They also accused the DRC of backing the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), listed as a terrorist group by Rwanda.
In a meeting at the African Union headquarters, President Tshesikedi rejected negotiations with M23 rebels, aligning with President Kagame’s proposal.
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