South Kivu: Burundi Deploys More Troops to Counter AFC/M23 Advance

Burundi has reinforced its military presence in South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to push back advancing AFC/M23 rebels, according to local sources and regional media reports.

In recent days, convoys of Burundian troops have been seen heading toward strategic zones in the territories of Uvira, Fizi and Mwenga, where clashes have intensified. According to SOS Médias Burundi, military trucks carrying Burundian soldiers were spotted in Kitoga, Muhuzi and Itombwe forest, with additional deployments reported in Minembwe, Mikalati, Kipupu and Point Zero in Fizi territory.

The deployments come after AFC/M23 fighters seized several localities in South Kivu over the past two weeks, including Luntukulu, Chulwe, Kishadu and Lubimbe, while also launching attacks on Mwenga and Shabunda town centers.

Military sources say the new Burundian reinforcements aim to prevent the rebels from advancing further toward Uvira, a key economic and strategic hub along Lake Tanganyika.

There are also unconfirmed reports that Burundian troops are preparing operations against positions held by Twirwaneho, a local armed group in the Mikenke area of Minembwe accused of collaborating with AFC/M23.

The escalation comes just days after the DRC government and AFC/M23 signed a commitment on October 14, 2025, to establish a joint mechanism for monitoring a ceasefire. The new movements by Burundian forces suggest a potential shift in military strategy, raising questions about the future of the truce.

Burundi’s military has been operating in eastern DRC since 2022 under a bilateral security agreement renewed in 2023. Estimates suggest around 20,000 Burundian soldiers are currently deployed in South Kivu, mainly in Uvira and Fizi territories, to support Congolese forces against rebel groups.

Neither the Burundian nor Congolese governments have officially commented on the recent troop movements. However, security analysts warn that a widening regional military intervention could risk further destabilizing the volatile Great Lakes region.