In a sudden and high-level security meeting, the army chiefs of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi met in Uvira to adopt emergency strategies aimed at protecting the city, which is currently under threat from M23 rebels.
The meeting was convened in Uvira, a strategically located city just 26 kilometers from Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital.
DRC’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Jules Banza Mwilambwe, flew in from Kinshasa, while his Burundian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Prime Niyongabo, arrived from Bujumbura. Sources reveal that the closed-door talks addressed various pressing issues and concluded with key decisions, including a renewed military alliance between Congo’s national army (FARDC) and the Wazalendo militia.
This reconciliation marks a significant shift, as the two forces had been at odds following FARDC’s request for Wazalendo to withdraw from Uvira. The Congolese army had accused Wazalendo of contributing to the insecurity in the area.
Tensions between the two sides had escalated after the fall of Bukavu and Goma into the hands of M23 rebels, with each party blaming the other for the loss of these important urban centers.
During the meeting, commanders instructed both FARDC and Wazalendo to cease all internal disputes, emphasizing that such conflicts weaken the city’s defenses and expose it to further instability. They also pledged to deploy advanced military equipment to the area to prevent it from falling into the hands of M23 or the Twirwaneho militia.
General Mwilambwe reassured Uvira residents of their safety, declaring:
“Do not be afraid. M23 will never take control of Uvira.”
In a notable development, the commanders also discussed formalizing the role of Wazalendo fighters by providing them with monthly stipends—although not on the same scale as regular army salaries.
“I will advocate for Wazalendo to receive monthly financial support,” said the Congolese army chief. “Even if it’s not a large amount, they deserve some payment.”
Uvira has become a refuge for several forces defeated by M23 in recent battles, including troops from Burundi, FARDC, FDLR, and Wazalendo fighters.
Since 2023, Burundian forces have been supporting the Congolese military in its fight against M23, frequently operating alongside the FDLR—a militia that includes individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The outcome of this emergency summit could mark a turning point in the regional conflict, as Uvira remains a vital stronghold in the fight against the advancing M23 rebel group.
