Ndayishimiye in Washington : Burundi wants to influence the future of eastern Congo

Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye is flying to the United States tonight, where he is scheduled to participate in a high-level diplomatic meeting in Washington on December 4. Presidents Félix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) are expected to attend, at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.

Ndayishimiye stated on Monday, during a press briefing, that he was going to Washington to “look after Burundi’s interests,” thus confirming Gitega’s participation in this mediation effort.

The stated objective : to defuse the spiral of violence in eastern Congo and pave the way for an agreement between Kigali and Kinshasa.

At the heart of the conflict : cross-accusations and military alliances

The M23, a predominantly Tutsi armed group, took up arms again in late 2021, accusing Kinshasa of failing to honor its commitments to reintegration. The DRC, in turn, accuses Rwanda of actively supporting the movement. UN experts—dismissed as “imposters” by Kigali—claim that approximately 6,000 Rwandan soldiers are present on the Congolese soil to support the rebellion. Kigali firmly denies this.

The M23 is now affiliated with the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a political and military structure led by the former president of the CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission), Corneille Nangaa, who advocates for a federal Congo.

At a press conference held Thursday, November 27, in Kigali, Mr. Kagame stated that “a possible meeting in Washington with Tshisekedi and Trump would be a good thing,” emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation for stabilizing eastern DRC.

But Kigali is also leveling accusations at Kinshasa and Gitega.

According to the Rwandan government, the DRC and Burundi are arming the FDLR, a Rwandan Hutu group composed of genocidal fighters accused of participating in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. Kigali claims that they are receiving uniforms, ammunition, and tactical support to destabilize the Rwandan territory.
These allegations are completely rejected by Kinshasa and publicly ignored by Gitega, thus perpetuating a cycle of conflicting narratives.

Burundi, a new military pivot in the DRC

The Burundian presence in the DRC has become a key element of the regional landscape. More than 10,000 Burundian soldiers are fighting alongside the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the Wazalendo militias. In South Kivu, recent fighting has reportedly caused heavy losses among the Burundian ranks—information not confirmed by the authorities, but widely circulated on the ground.

December 4 : fragile hope or breaking point?

The meeting in Washington on December 4 could mark a diplomatic turning point.

Its success could pave the way for a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities.

Its failure, on the other hand, could entrench a war that is already regionalized, with three armies involved, several cross-border militias, and a civilian population caught in the crossfire.

A meeting that could be significant in the region’s history.