Since early 2024, when Burundi deployed a new battalion of more than 600 troops to replace one that was defeated, with over 300 dead and more than 100 seriously wounded, more Burundian soldiers are being killed en masse as AFC/M23 rebels continuously outsmart the vast Congolese army coalition.
On April 12, up to 20 more Burundian soldiers fighting alongside President Felix Tshisekedi’s coalition forces were killed during heavy clashes with Twirwaneho, a self-defense group fighting to protect the Banyamulenge community in Rugezi and Kabanju, in Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province. Twirwaneho is part of the AFC/M23 rebellion.
Thousands of Burundian soldiers have been killed ever since Burundi deployed to the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo to fight the AFC/M23 rebels. Bujumbura is supporting the Congolese army, militias grouped in the so-called Wazalendo (or patriots) militia group, European mercenaries, SADC forces, the UN mission in DRC, MONUSCO, and FDLR, a Kinshasa-backed terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The Congolese government coalition forces failed to push back the rebels who are now controlling swathes of territory in the Kivus.
As the conflict continues, Burundi loses more soldiers. Burundian soldiers have no cause to be involved in the DRC conflict. Their deployment, as a mercenary operation, benefits President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who, since August 2023, has received thousands of US dollars under a military deal with Tshisekedi.
On the battleground, Burundian soldiers are given outdated weapons, reportedly purchased in the 1980s during the rule of late President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, when he was preparing for military confrontation against the then Zaire (now DRC) led by President Mobutu due to their border conflict in Rusizi Valley.
Burundian soldiers have been complaining that they lack adequate heavy weapons since the existing ones are all outdated and inefficient. They rely on eight Grad P rocket launchers that were all deployed to DRC to strengthen their positions in Uvira Territory, South Kivu Province.
Burundi’s air force is relying on two MI17s, two MI24s, and two Bell helicopters that had been used by Burundian soldiers during their mission in Somalia.
Burundian soldiers also lack modernized individual weapons, as the ones they use, purchased from China, could not be operational for many hours. They suddenly stop after shooting a small number of bullets.
Burundian army sources revealed that a team of Russian military mechanical engineers is in the country to repair military armored vehicles at the Ngagara military garage in Bujumbura. Four of the six armored vehicles are set to be repaired, while the remaining two require intensive repair to be operational again.
The Russian mechanical engineers advised the Burundian army to purchase new armored vehicles instead of repairing the very old ones because their spare parts are either expensive or out of stock.
The Burundian army claims to be financially incapable of affording new armored vehicles, insisting on repairing the old ones.
On April 11, the Burundian army returned two BM rocket launchers that they had established in Cibitoke Province to the military armory at Bujumbura airport for repair after having technical difficulties. They were deployed in early April to support Burundian army bases in Uvira. Burundi is reported to have only four BM, including those under reparation, and they are all in a poor state.
Military officials accuse the CNDD-FDD regime and Ndayishimiye of failing to modernize Burundi’s army.
Worse still, Congolese soldiers who are armed with modern weapons are fleeing the battle at any given opportunity, thereby compelling Burundian soldiers to fight alone at some frontlines.
An intelligence official from Bujumbura confirmed that Burundian soldiers in DRC are not only challenged by the lack of modern weapons but are also not trained or prepared before they are deployed.
Realizing that Ndayishimiye is only sending them to the battleground to make money at the cost of their lives, some deserted and went into exile. Upon return to Burundi, they were detained. Others disguised themselves as refugees fleeing the DRC conflict.
Ndayishimiye has deployed thousands of Imbonerakure militiamen in Uvira territory, South Kivu, to hunt down and eliminate any Burundian soldier who would dare to flee the battle and return to Burundi.
Rights groups from Uvira and local authorities in parts of Burundi bordering DRC have documented evidence of corpses of men in uniforms of the Burundian army found in bushes. Burundian families have been crying out that they are not allowed to bury their loved sons killed on the frontlines in eastern DRC.
At least 20,000 Burundian soldiers are deployed to eastern DRC to support the Congolese army coalition against the AFC/M23 rebels. Ndayishimiye’s continued military support has contributed nothing to Tshisekedi’s wishes, despite Burundian soldiers being killed en masse. The rebels are taking control of more localities in the region which has, for decades, been a safe haven for over 260 armed groups.
