A bombshell UN report seen by Reuters has revealed the covert deployment of over 1,000 Burundian troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since October 2023. These soldiers, disguised in Congolese uniforms, have been fighting alongside Congolese forces against the M23 rebel group in North Kivu province.
The report, compiled by the UN Group of Experts in Congo, cites security and intelligence sources close to the Congolese army command. It alleges that airlifts facilitated by Congolese military planes transported the Burundian troops from Burundi starting September 21st.
Neither the Burundian nor Congolese governments, nor the Congolese army, have responded to requests for comment from Reuters. However, the report’s circulation among UN Security Council members on December 15th underscores the potential gravity of the situation. Its official publication is scheduled for January 2024.
This revelation casts new light on the complex security landscape in eastern DRC. Previous knowledge centered around the combined efforts of UN peacekeepers, Congolese troops, and, until December, a regional force deployed by the East African Community (EAC).
The report further complicates the picture by alleging Burundi’s denial of any troops operating outside the EAC framework. Meanwhile, Congolese military authorities claim ignorance of the collaboration highlighted in the UN document.
Sources cited in the report suggest the Burundian troops operate independently alongside Congolese forces and allied armed groups confronting the M23 rebels. This ongoing offensive, launched by M23 in 2022, has exacerbated the region’s long-standing humanitarian crisis, displacing approximately one million people.
The M23 group, which claims to represent the interests of Congolese Tutsis, is accused by Congo, Western powers, and the UN experts of receiving support from neighboring Rwanda. Despite consistent denials from Kigali, these accusations have triggered a major diplomatic rift in the region.
The UN report’s disclosure of the covert Burundian deployment raises critical questions about transparency, regional cooperation, and accountability in the ongoing conflict. Its official publication next month is likely to intensify scrutiny and potentially trigger further political repercussions in the volatile region.
