Burundi sends new wave of Troops to Minembwe
Fresh movements of Burundian troops into the Democratic Republic of the Congo were reported in the early hours of the night, signaling a renewed escalation in military activity in the region.
According to sources, additional forces were transported by boat through Rumonge, where large quantities of equipment and soldiers were loaded before departure. Witnesses described a significant buildup at the port, suggesting a coordinated reinforcement effort.
The latest deployment follows earlier reports from April 4 indicating that some Burundian troops had been operating with insufficient weaponry after a fire destroyed military equipment at Camp Base in Bujumbura. New information now suggests that the latest convoy included newly supplied military equipment.
After crossing into Congolese territory, the troops were reportedly moving through Baraka along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, before heading toward strategic areas in the territories of Fizi and Mwenga. Key areas of deployment include Kwa Mulima, Kalingi, Mikenke, Bidegu, the Mukoko forest, and Lulenge.
Military sources indicate that these movements are part of a broader pattern of renewed Burundian deployments into eastern Congo, following a partial withdrawal in December 2025 after M23 seized several areas in South Kivu.
Analysts say the apparent objective of the latest reinforcement is to regain control of Minembwe, a region predominantly inhabited by Banyamulenge communities and currently defended by fighters from the Twirwaneho militia, which operates in coordination with M23.
A recent report by Human Rights Watch indicates that Burundi deployed approximately 4,000 troops to Minembwe in late March, raising concerns over the impact on civilian populations. The report also highlights a surge in drone attacks targeting civilians toward the end of 2025, further complicating humanitarian access in the conflict-affected Mulenge area.
Additional information obtained by the publication suggests that between August 2022 and December 2025, more than 29,000 Burundian soldiers were deployed to eastern DR Congo, according to an internal report from Congo’s Ministry of Interior and Security.
