Burundi Army Chief Visits Kinshasa as Military Activity Intensifies

Kinshasa, 12 August 2026 - Burundi’s Chief of Staff, Gen. Prime Niyongabo, reportedly made a discreet visit to Kinshasa on 6 August, accompanied by six senior military officers. The delegation arrived via Lubumbashi and held talks with Congolese officials before returning to Bujumbura the following day aboard a DRC military aircraft. The purpose and details of the discussions have not been publicly disclosed.

The visit coincided with increased movement of DRC military aircraft to Bujumbura, reportedly carrying equipment intended for operations in South Kivu. Between 5 and 7 August, three DRC military aircraft reportedly landed in Bujumbura, while 12 military aircraft are said to have received authorization to use Bujumbura International Airport between 23 July and 23 October.

The reported preparations come as Kinshasa and Bujumbura seek to reinforce their positions in South Kivu amid concerns over further advances by AFC/M23 and MRDP-Twirwaneho. The move follows heavy fighting around Minembwe, where government-aligned forces reportedly suffered significant losses and lost control of several positions, raising fears of further territorial gains toward Baraka and Fizi.

Gen. Niyongabo’s visit has fueled speculation that Burundian forces could be redeployed to the battlefield. Such a move could prove politically and militarily costly for Bujumbura, given the reported casualties among Burundian troops in eastern DRC and previous cases of soldiers refusing deployment.

In 2024, hundreds of Burundian soldiers were reportedly detained and prosecuted after refusing to participate in operations against AFC/M23. Some had already been deployed to the DRC before being returned to Burundi, while others reportedly fled abroad, including senior officers.

The renewed military preparations come despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Any new offensive could deepen losses for Congolese and Burundian forces while increasing risks for civilians in areas affected by fighting. For Burundi, a larger military role could also intensify domestic pressure on President Évariste Ndayishimiye over military casualties and growing tensions within the armed forces.