Burundi Withdraws Troops as Refugee Crisis from DR Congo Deepens

Burundi is withdrawing troops from the DRC amid an influx of refugees due to the M23 conflict. Thousands have fled into Burundi, prompting calls for urgent humanitarian aid. UN officials warn of escalating regional tensions as the situation deteriorates, leading to fears of a repeat of historical conflicts in the region.

Burundi has reportedly accelerated the withdrawal of some of its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the United Nations warns that the country is facing its most significant influx of refugees in 25 years due to renewed conflict. The resurgence of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels has led to severe territorial gains in eastern DRC, capturing key cities and exacerbating regional tensions.

An anonymous senior military officer disclosed that the Burundian army is extracting soldiers stationed in the DRC’s Rusizi plain, although the exact number of troops being withdrawn remains unspecified. Concerns persist over supply shortages, with Burundian forces reportedly lacking ammunition and food while attempting to support disorganized Congolese military efforts against armed groups.

The UN refugee agency representative in Burundi stated that the country is experiencing an unprecedented wave of refugees from DRC, as 30,000 individuals have fled the escalating violence. Many refugees are arriving daily, seeking safety amid the chaos instigated by the M23 forces, particularly after their encroachment towards Bukavu.

Accounts of individual refugees highlight the urgent need for assistance, with some facing dire conditions. One female refugee lamented the lack of food and shelter, expressing the critical need for external support as illnesses begin to spread among the weak and vulnerable.

In response to the situation, Burundi’s Interior Minister Martin Niteretse indicated plans to relocate incoming refugees to the eastern parts of the country to ensure their safety and grant them refugee status. Prior to the latest conflict escalation, Burundi was already hosting around 90,000 Congolese refugees fleeing earlier violence in the region.

Concerns have been raised regarding the possibility of a wider regional conflict, as UN officials reported M23’s advance nearing the borders with Rwanda and Burundi. Historical parallels are drawn to the Second Congo War, prompting fears of recurring violence involving multiple nations. Recent tensions have led the United States to impose sanctions on a Rwandan minister accused of supporting the M23 insurgents, amidst Rwandan denials of engagement in the conflict.

The situation in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo is dire, with the accelerated withdrawal of Burundian troops in response to the M23 advance contributing to significant refugee inflows. As the conflict escalates, humanitarian assistance becomes increasingly urgent to prevent further suffering among the displaced. Local and international efforts are critical to address the complex dynamics at play and to avert a broader regional crisis.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr