Burundian Troops, Foreign Mercenaries Reportedly Head to South Kivu

A photo circulating widely on social media allegedly shows a large group of Burundian soldiers alongside white foreign mercenaries gathered at an airfield before boarding military trucks for deployment.

According to reports from multiple sources, the forces are believed to be preparing for deployment to the South Kivu highlands in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they are expected to support the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in operations aimed at recapturing areas controlled by the Twirwaneho armed group and AFC/M23.

The reports follow earlier claims published last week alleging that Burundian troops and foreign mercenaries had been transported to the town of Baraka via Lake Tanganyika as part of efforts to reinforce security and strengthen military positions in the area.

Military sources further claim that FARDC, backed by Burundian forces and allied armed groups, could be preparing new offensives targeting strategic locations including Point-Zéro and Minembwe, where Twirwaneho is reported to maintain significant strongholds.