At least 20 Burundian soldiers have been killed in clashes with the M23 rebel group and allegedly by Rwandan troops backing it in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), military sources reported on Thursday. The fighting occurred Monday and Tuesday in Kaziba, about 80 kilometres from Uvira, near the Burundian border.
A senior Burundian officer confirmed the assault, saying that the M23 and Rwandan forces launched an attack on their positions, resulting in the deaths of 20 soldiers and injuries to 10 others. The officer revealed that the Burundian troops were surrounded during the two-day battle before retreating, leaving behind an injured commander. Other sources suggested the death toll could be as high as 25.
The M23’s recent offensive in eastern DRC has intensified fears of a broader regional conflict, as the armed group has successfully pushed the Congolese army out of parts of North and South Kivu provinces.
Burundi deployed over 10,000 troops to support the Congolese army since October 2023 under a military agreement with Kinshasa.
While Rwanda denies supporting the M23, a UN report has linked Rwandan forces to the rebel group, with evidence of around 4,000 Rwandan troops operating in the region. Amid growing tensions, Angola has announced plans to host peace talks starting on March 18 to address the ongoing violence.
