Burundi vows to retake Bukavu as troops surge back into Eastern DRC
Four months after Burundian troops were expelled from major cities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the AFC/M23 coalition, they are now intensifying efforts to redeploy through heavy military offensives.
According to a United Nations experts’ report released in May 2025, between 7,000 and 9,000 Burundian soldiers are currently operating in eastern DRC, particularly in the Rusizi Valley and the mountainous regions near Minembwe.
Burundi’s Minister of Defence, Alain Tribert Mutabazi, stated on July 15, 2025, that Burundian troops remain in the region to maintain peace, secure borders, and combat armed groups in North and South Kivu provinces.
However, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said on July 18, 2025, that despite ongoing political negotiations in Qatar between the DRC government and armed groups, Kinshasa continues to prepare for war by mobilising foreign troops, including those from Burundi.
Kanyuka explained that Congolese forces have been deployed to various parts of South Kivu, while others were transferred from Pinga in Walikale, Lubero, and even from Kisangani in Tshopo Province to prepare attacks against AFC/M23 positions.
“Many soldiers are moving from Kalemie to Uvira, and from Bujumbura to Shabunda and Kisangani. Over the past week, their coalition has launched intense assaults on our bases,” Kanyuka said.
He further claimed that Burundi, undeterred by previous battlefield defeats, has sent an additional 520 soldiers to Shabunda to reinforce troops in the Rusizi Valley as part of a plan to seize Bukavu.
“The Burundian army is repeating its past mistakes by deploying a battalion of 520 soldiers through Shabunda towards Bukavu via Nzibira to strengthen forces in the Rusizi Valley,” he added.
Kanyuka insisted that AFC/M23 retains the right to defend civilians and itself against any threats to regional security.
