Goma : first Burundian soldiers arrive in North Kivu
About thirty Burundian soldiers arrived this Sunday in Goma (capital of North Kivu). These elements of the FDNB (National Defense Force of Burundi) are deployed within the framework of the disarmament of the M23 in particular. Reactions from residents are mixed. INFO SOS Médias Burundi
Burundian soldiers arrived this Sunday in the capital of North Kivu aboard a Kenyan army plane. These soldiers have the mission of “enforcing the ceasefire”.
“[…] this is to materialize the ceasefire which takes place this Tuesday, March 7, then it is to participate in the withdrawal of the M23”, Brigadier General Emmanuel Kaputa second in command of the regional force that hosted them told the local press.
By March 30, M23 rebels must withdraw from the areas under its occupation.
The roadmap also provides for the demobilization and social reintegration of elements of all armed groups without distinction.
“They will be based in Mubambiro for their deployment to Sake, Kilolirwe and Kitchanga”, General Kaputa added.
The deployment of Burundian forces comes as clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese army continue on different fronts in Masisi and Rutshuru territories in the province of North Kivu in eastern DRC.
Macron’s visit
In his first visit to Kinshasa last Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that several protagonists reassured him about the ceasefire.
“The discussion I had with President Lourenço and the exchange I was able to have with President Kagame showed me one thing : everyone will give clear support. to the ceasefire next Tuesday which is provided for in the timetable to which representatives of the M23 who went to see President Lourenço have also committed”, declared Mr. Macron.
He deplored the situation prevailing in the east of the vast Central African country.
“This visit comes at a time when a region, a people, a country is experiencing the new act of a tragedy which, for nearly 30 years, has never truly died out. Hundreds of thousands of Congolese are reliving the nightmare of the war, flight, absolute outcome, a city-Goma is again under the threat of a rebellion which borrows new acronyms today the M23 but whose face and external support and agenda are known”, he said indignantly.
For him, Congo is attacked by everyone.
“[…], Several countries in the sub-region – there is not just one, several have returned to your country and several rebel groups have prospered there, capturing a lot of wealth… “, he added.
“The DRC must not be the spoils of war. The open looting of the DRC must stop : no looting, no balkanization or war”, insisted the French president in a joint press conference with his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi.
For him, the Congo is attacked by everyone.
“[…], Several countries in the sub-region – there is not just one, several have returned to your country and several rebel groups have prospered there, capturing a lot of wealth… “, he added.
“The DRC must not be the spoils of war. The open looting of the DRC must stop: no looting, no balkanization or war”, insisted the French president in a joint press conference with his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi.
Emmanuel Macron does not want the Congolese to consider themselves perpetual victims of external forces.
“I’m sorry to say it in such crude terms, you have not been able to restore the military, security or administrative sovereignty of your country, it is also a reality, we must not look for culprits in the outside of this affair”, replied Emmanuel Macron to a journalist who asked him a question about France’s role in problems of the Congo.
The French president rather believes that the crisis can never be resolved as long as impunity is reported.
“[…], we must put in place real justice, transitional justice so that those who have killed are judged and sometimes they are still evolving, they are there, they are still with responsibilities. How do you want to that there is lasting peace and trust in a country when justice has not passed? Build a strong army, build security and the return of the state everywhere on the territory, make transitional justice that you do not have the culprits and war criminals still in charge on the ground, be intractable with all the neighbors of the region when they come to plunder you”, he insisted.
Residents’ reactions
Some residents of the city of Goma oppose the arrival of Burundian soldiers.
“I do not agree with the arrival of Burundian soldiers because they too are in the EAC and we, Congolese, have never seen large-scale operations carried out by the EAC forces.
We see that it is time for our government to seek solutions in its own way and no longer rely on foreign forces”, finds Heshima Kaduki, a motorcycle taxi rider met in the center of the city of Goma on Monday.
“There is no difference between Burundi, Kenya and Uganda. All are complicit in the affair of the balkanization of eastern DRC. The arrival of Burundian soldiers does not benefit us in any way”, said Shumongi Kalimano, another resident of Goma.
Some others welcome the arrival of Burundian troops.
“We have a good relationship with Burundi and this can revive our hope of reviving a situation of lasting peace in our region. We ask that there be no complicity with the M23 rebels only”, rejoices Emmanuel Baraka, a resident of the capital of North Kivu.
In the area where the Burundian army has deployed its elements, Ugandan and South Sudanese armies are also expected there.
Burundi had already deployed two other contingents on the Congolese territory since mid-August 2022. They are based in the province of South Kivu as part of the regional force and in bilateral negotiation.
In this part of Congo, the Burundian army is rather interested in the armed groups of Burundian origin which have been established there for several years.
An M23 spokesperson was not available to comment on the ceasefire, which is due to take place on Tuesday.
The M23 is a former Tutsi rebellion which took up arms again at the end of 2021 accusing the Congolese government of not having respected its commitments on the reintegration of its fighters. It enjoys the support of Rwanda, according to Congolese authorities, allegations brushed aside by Rwanda.
Since mid-June 2022, M23 rebels have recovered several localities in North Kivu province, including Bunagana, the border town with Uganda.
