According to the East African Community Secretariat, Burundi will today deploy troops to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the regional forces to restore peace and stability.
“Burundi through their Chief of Defence Forces has confirmed that on 4th March 2023, Burundi will deploy troops to the East African Regional Force in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in line with the roadmap set by the EAC Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staffs (CDF/CDS) on 9th February 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya,” a statement reads.
DRC has seen a worsening security situation in the eastern largely caused by the M23 rebel group that has claimed territories, leaving hundreds killed and thousands fleeing to the neighboring countries.
“All other EAC troops contributing Partner States will shortly deploy within the agreed time frame,” a statement from EAC secretariat reads.
The deployment is part of the implementation of directives by the 20th Extra-Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State held on 4th February 2023, in Bujumbura, Burundi.
This comes after the meeting of the EAC Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staffs (CDF/CDS) convened on 9th February 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya and Mini-Summit on Peace and Security in Eastern DRC held on the sidelines of the 36th African Union Summit on 17th February 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.