Burundi troops, allies of Kinshasa, are still deploying in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the UK announced it is suspending most direct bilateral aid to Rwanda over an offensive by M23 fighters. The Rwanda-backed group has seized two major cities in the region since taking up arms again in late 2021.
The conflict has claimed millions of lives in a three-decade-long period of unrest and war. The UK government stated that it is unacceptable to resolve security concerns militarily, emphasizing the need for a political solution.
M23 fighters took control of Bukavu and Goma, the capital and main city of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces respectively, in recent weeks without facing significant opposition from DRC army soldiers who have committed atrocities as they fled.
Burundi fighters are moving north to fend off M23’s advance on Uvira, with Wazalendo pro-Kinshasa militia joining them. The situation remains tense around Kamanyola town 75 km north of Uvira, where a resident described the town as “calm” but emptying due to fear of clashes.
African countries have appointed former leaders to oversee peace efforts in the region, while an International Criminal Court prosecutor has arrived to investigate the surge in violence. The East African Community and Southern African Development Community have also come together to install a ceasefire.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/burundi-troops-deploy-east-drc-184845148.html