Burundi has issued a strong warning to Rwanda as fighting intensifies in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with President Evariste Ndayishimiye promised to strike back if his country is attacked.
Tensions flared on Wednesday as M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, advanced deeper into South Kivu province, capturing two towns along the route to Bukavu, the provincial capital.
Burundi, which has deployed around 10,000 soldiers to South Kivu in support of the DR Congo’s forces, has been actively engaged in recent battles against M23 fighters. Addressing locals in the border town of Bugabira, President Ndayishimiye labeled Rwanda a “bad neighbor” and warned, “The one that is going to attack us, we will ourselves attack.” He previously expressed concerns that the ongoing conflict could escalate into a full-scale regional war.
Regional Efforts for Ceasefire Falter
African leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) recently convened in Tanzania, urging an “unconditional” ceasefire to take effect on Thursday. However, after a brief pause in hostilities, clashes reignited in Kalehe, approximately 30 kilometers from the strategic Kavumu airport, which remains under Congolese control.
DR Congo has called for an urgent meeting of regional leaders to assess the security situation and impose sanctions in response to what it describes as “a new act of aggression.”