Did Burundian forces engaged in combat with the M23 group?
Although the Burundian army believes it encountered M23 during the EAC operation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, intelligence reveals that these soldiers encountered regular herders armed for personal defense.
The M23 militants were reported to have returned to the Ruvunda region close to Mushaki on April 14, 2023, according to intelligence obtained by the Burundian Army, which is presently in charge of that region.
owing to the fact that M23 is not permitted to come after being freed in the recent days owing to decisions taken by Luanda and Nairobi, the Burundian Army decided to go to the Ruvunda area to see if the report that the group has returned is accurate.
according to the imformations , the herders began firing in self-defense after the Burundian army began shooting at the livestock to test if anybody would retaliate. They believed that Nyatura, Mai Mai, and the FDLR were coming to seize their cattle.
According to this source, the herders organized an ambush and surrounded the army rather than joining the battle right once. The captain who was in charge of the Burundian army was ultimately captured, while others were rescued by fleeing.
When the herders questioned the Burundian army about their purpose for being there, they said that they were aware that M23 had returned, but eventually a deal was reached, and the Burundian captain and the army he was in charge of were allowed to return to Mushaki.
