DRC-Burundi: President Neva is looking for more and more deals for the FDNB*

Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a cooperation agreement in the military field on August 28 in Kinshasa, DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo). The Burundian and Congolese presidents believe the deal will allow a return to peace in eastern Congo. Independent analysts express doubts. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, arrived last Sunday in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for a two-day official visit.

Welcomed at N’djili International Airport by Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, Mr. Ndayishimiye had a dinner with President Félix Tshisekedi at the presidential palace of Mount Ngaliema.

The official working session took place on Monday at the Palais de la Nation.

After their tête-à- tête, the two Heads of State gave a joint press briefing on this bilateral meeting, which comes a few weeks after the last East African Community leaders’ summit held in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Feedback on the actions of the FDNB

“Burundian forces based in in North Kivu have never given way to the enemy of the Congolese people and this shows the good diplomacy between our two countries and the peaceful coexistence between our peoples. I call on other elements of the regional force are deployed in the DRC to do like Burundian soldiers”, President Neva praised his army.

Warning from Tshisekedi

As to Félix Tshisekedi, he warned certain foreign forces which give support to the M23 rebels, by allowing them to collect taxes, according to him.

“We are closely watching elements of the EAC but there is just a small annoyance with some of those in the regional force who are supporting the rebels. We believe the region will be able to deal with this and seek a very sustainable solution”, insisted the Congolese president.

Military cooperation

After an exchange with journalists in front of the Palais de la nation in Kinshasa, the two heads of state concluded a military cooperation agreement.

“The agreement was made with good prospects of ending fighting and human rights violations in the eastern part of the DRC”, according to the Burundian and Congolese presidents.

Tshisekedi’s satisfaction

The Congolese head of state said he was very satisfied with this agreement which will also allow the large western neighbor of Burundi to develop, economically according to him.

“Burundi is our long-time friend. Our peoples share many things via borders and other common goods that unite us. Having military cooperation with Burundi is an advantage,” said Mr. Tshisekedi.

Opposite opinions

Analysts and residents continue to “criticize the ineffectiveness” of foreign troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“This cooperation will come to nothing with regard to the positive results expected by the Congolese citizens because the Burundian president is the head of the East African Community which has deployed a force eastern DRC. It is a force that has not succeeded in its mission,” said Emmanuel Binyenye, a Congolese political analyst.

According to some residents reached by SOS Médias Burundi, the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) must always be provided with sufficient equipment instead of waiting for help from the sub-region.

“The problems of our country are ours and we are responsible. No foreign force can succeed in neutralizing the enemy without our participation,” said a resident of an area plagued by armed conflict for several years in the province of North Kivu.

Another resident of the provincial capital speaks of diversion.

“Cooperating with our neighboring country is a distraction. The DRC must fight the enemies of peace and not to entrust itself to external forces”, regretted a forty-something from Goma.

Ambiguity

So far, the terms of the deal are unclear. President Neva said that a special force would be possible to help the Congo restore peace and security in its eastern region.

At the head of the EAC since July 2022, President Ndayishimiye is involved in the Nairobi peace process (Kenya) to bring peace and stability to the eastern provinces of the DRC.

With a participation of more than 1,000 men, the Burundian army is engaged within the Regional Force of the EAC to fight the rebels of the M23 in North Kivu and the local militias and armed groups of Burundian origin in the South Kivu.

The FDNB is present on Congolese soil under two agreements: the bilateral agreement for some of the soldiers deployed in South Kivu and the regional agreement for the contingent in North Kivu.

FDNB*: Burundi National Defense Force