Burundi Intensifies Its Military Involvement in Eastern DRC
In September 2023, Burundi formalized its military cooperation with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), making Gitega the principal regional ally of Kinshasa. Since then, approximately 10,000 soldiers from the Burundi National Defence Force (FDNB) have been deployed in the DRC to combat the M23 armed group, supported by Rwanda. A new battalion, the 22nd TAFOK, has been deployed to Bukavu, bringing the number of Burundian battalions present in eastern DRC to sixteen, totalling between 8,000 and 12,000 soldiers.
Five battalions operate in the High and Medium Plateaus of Fizi and Uvira, and around 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers are involved in defending Bukavu against M23. Under the command of General Pontien Hakizimana, also known as Mingi, the Burundian regiment composed of four brigades is active in Kalehe, Kamanyola, and around Kavumu airport. Despite logistical challenges and significant losses, the Burundian Task Force plays a crucial role in military operations.
Furthermore, Burundi closed its border with the DRC on Thursday, February 6, 2025, due to the large number of Congolese crossing the border into Bujumbura. In Bukavu, the metropolitan archbishop, Mgr François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo, wrote to the governor of South Kivu. He advises avoiding clashes in large settlements and among the civilian population. He encourages the soldiers but deplores that some, returning from the front, loot and kill without reason. He calls to avoid turning the city into a battlefield, recalling the recent carnage in Goma.
Discover More
A Fragile Ceasefire in Eastern DRC
Amid ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), two nearly identical statements released on April 23, 2025, announced an immediate ceasefire. One was signed in Goma by a member of the rebel group AFC/M23—someone not even officially part of the delegation—and the other was issued by the Congolese government in Kinshasa.
Ituri Under Surveillance
Rising Security Concerns The political fragmentation in eastern DRC continues to threaten the fragile stability of Ituri. The failure of the Doha process and the breakdown of the republican pact could pave the way for a new wave of unrest in the region. On April 22, 2025, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with leaders of the Lendu militia CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo) in Entebbe. Officially, the meeting was convened to address CODECO’s attack on Ugandan military positions in Ituri, a confrontation that adds to past clashes between the group and the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Key Figures and Discussions The CODECO delegation, led by Dunji Kulukpa Etienne (Vice President of the Lendu community), included political and militant representatives. On the Ugandan side, top-ranking officials participated: • General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, CDF • Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, Land Forces Commander • Major General Felix Busizoori, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division • Brigadier General Oscar Munanura, Deputy Assistant Chief of Intelligence and Security Earlier in the week, CODECO leaders had already engaged with Ugandan military commanders. During the Entebbe meeting, Mr. Dunji expressed gratitude for Uganda’s reception and apologized for the Fataki clashes between CODECO and the UPDF. He claimed the militia had been influenced by external forces and emphasized that the Lendu, Balega, and Bahema communities do not view Uganda as an adversary. Dunji also highlighted Ituri’s worsening humanitarian crisis, attributing it to political divisions, while praising Uganda’s contributions in healthcare, refugee assistance, and economic aid. Uganda’s Expanding Influence in Ituri General Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s historical presence in North Kivu and Ituri, citing counter-insurgency operations dating back to the early 2000s. He urged CODECO leaders to collaborate with the UPDF in pursuit of a lasting peace. As a demonstration of goodwill, Ugandan forces provided free medical care to wounded CODECO fighters. Strategic Implications: A Larger Agenda? While Uganda frames this meeting as a step toward reconciliation, analysts at African Security Analysis suggest a deeper motive. They argue that the gathering was part of a broader effort to integrate CODECO into the militant coalition led by Thomas Lubanga, potentially setting the stage for coordinated offensives in Ituri, particularly targeting Bunia. If confirmed, this would signal a significant shift in the security landscape, with Uganda deepening its influence in Ituri under the guise of conflict resolution. The region remains under scrutiny as stakeholders assess the evolving dynamics.
Contact us to find out how our security services can support you.
We operate in almost all countries in Africa, including high-risk environments, monitoring and analyze ongoing conflicts, the hotspots and the potential upcoming threats on the continent. Every day. Around the clock.