Hundreds of Burundian soldiers have been deployed to Bibogobogo, a locality in Fizi Territory, South Kivu Province, after traveling from the Uvira border region. This movement, which occurred overnight on Wednesday, January 16, 2025, has raised concerns among local residents.
Reliable reports from Minembwe.com confirm that the troops passed through a FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) camp in the area and were received by Col. Alexis Ntagawa, the commander of the base. Although the soldiers’ precise mission remains unclear, their presence has caused anxiety among the local population.
Declared Intentions: Hunting Down Perceived “Enemies”
Before leaving the area, the Burundian soldiers informed locals that their objective was to locate and confront their alleged enemies, naming groups such as Twirwaneho, M23, and Red-Tabara. However, their grouping of M23 and Red-Tabara has sparked confusion, as these two factions have distinct origins and objectives:
- M23 consists of Congolese fighters advocating for their community’s right to exist within the DRC.
- Red-Tabara is a Burundian armed group opposing the CNDD-FDD government.
- Twirwaneho, on the other hand, is a self-defense militia formed by Banyamulenge civilians to protect themselves from attacks, often carried out with the support of FARDC and Maï-Maï militias.
Context of the Deployment
This latest deployment comes amidst reports that Burundi has been sending troops into various parts of the DRC. While some soldiers are dispatched to North Kivu to combat M23, others are sent to South Kivu to pursue Red-Tabara, which remains a key target for the Burundian government.
The arrival of these troops underscores the growing complexity of the region’s security landscape, with multiple armed groups and foreign forces engaged in overlapping conflicts. For now, residents of Bibogobogo remain on edge, unsure of the long-term implications of this military presence.
