Burundian officers trained in Russia vanish before DRC Mission
Military cooperation between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) aimed at defeating AFC/M23 rebels is facing serious challenges after eight Burundian soldiers deserted while undergoing a military command course in Russia. The deserters had been slated for deployment to eastern DRC.
The development underscores mounting strain within the Burundian National Defence Force (FDNB), which has been dogged by desertions since the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in late 2021. Analysts say morale in the army has steadily eroded as troops confront heavy losses in the Kivus, where hundreds have died since Burundi began mass deployments in 2023.
Senior Burundian commanders have expressed reluctance to confront the advancing rebels, citing outdated weaponry and fear of repeating past defeats in North Kivu.
Faced with growing dissent in the ranks, President Évariste Ndayishimiye is reported to have turned to the ruling party’s youth wing, the Imbonerakure, to monitor soldiers and prevent defections. The militias have allegedly been tasked with tracking disgruntled troops and, in extreme cases, eliminating outspoken critics of the deployment.
“Many generals opposed sending Burundian troops into DRC,” one FDNB colonel said on condition of anonymity. “Burundi’s military history is littered with coups, failed interventions, and power struggles. The current campaign risks repeating those failures.”
Observers note that since Ndayishimiye assumed office in 2020, the relationship between the presidency and the military has grown increasingly tense. The disappearance of the eight officers in Russia is seen as a sign of deeper resistance within the army to what some describe as “fighting for Ndayishimiye’s personal gains” in the DRC.
According to diplomatic and military sources, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi provided financial incentives for Burundi’s involvement: a lump sum of USD 2 million and an additional USD 5,000 monthly per deployed soldier. However, Burundian troops complain they still receive their usual salaries—often delayed for months—while elites pocket the bonuses.
Despite the investment of millions of dollars into Burundian forces and foreign mercenaries, the AFC/M23 rebels have continued to advance, capturing Goma and Bukavu, two of eastern Congo’s most strategic cities.
The latest desertions raise questions about the sustainability of Burundi’s military role in eastern DRC and highlight the fragility of alliances in a conflict that has already destabilized the region.
