The security situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is destined for worse as Burundi army is accused of allegedly joining arms with the Congolese army FARDC to fight M23 rebel movement that controls vast areas in this part of the country.
“The M23 reminds the United Nations, the Region, the national and international community, the media and the humanitarian and human rights community that the Kinshasa government is continuing its warmongering program by attacking the positions of the M23 in instead of giving a chance to a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC,” the M23 Movement said in a statement.
The statement adds that Kinshasa forces FARD and its allied militia; FDLR, NYATURA, APCLS, CODECO, PARECO, NDC-R, MAI MAI, MERCENARIES and Youth Militia) are supported on the front line by the Burundian defense forces to attack the M23,” the M23 Movement said in a statement.
“The M23 calls on the EAC to clarify this situation because, in these circumstances, a Member State becomes, in fact, a belligerent in the fight and participates fully in the hostilities on the front lines alongside the FDLR and FARDC reservists” , adds the same document emphasizing that the Burundian contingent wear FARDC uniforms and have established their headquarters in Minova.
However, these allegations were quickly denied by the Burundian army deployed in North Kivu as part of the EAC regional force, which claims to act everywhere with professionalism, one of its main values.
“This Burundian contingent is carrying out its mission in accordance with the legal framework governing the Regional Force of the East African Community,” said Colonel Biyekere Floribert, spokesperson for the Burundi National Defense Force.
Colonel Biyekere Floribert added, “under the orders of the command of this Regional Force, the Burundian soldiers carry out, among other missions: ensuring the security of the population and their property, the free movement of people and goods on the main roads in their sector of responsibility. They carry out their missions in strict compliance with the mandate of the EAC Regional Force.”