Burundi deploys troops to eastern Congo

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Burundi deployed troops Saturday to the East African Regional Force in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a senior army officer confirmed.

“Burundi has deployed about 100 troops to DR Congo. The soldiers will be deployed in North Kivu province in Kitshanga, Kilorirwe and Sake areas occupied by the M23 rebels,” the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, told Anadolu.

The deployment, part of the implementation of directives from East African Community (EAC) leaders made at a summit in Burundi last month, is part of efforts to restore peace in Congo’s volatile region.

In a statement Friday, the EAC confirmed troops would be deployed Saturday but without elaborating on the number of soldiers.

The regional force was expected to have between 6,500 and 12,000 troops working with the Congolese army on a six-month renewable mandate but the force is yet to be fully deployed.

There have been protests against EAC troops deployed to the country last year by Congolese on the perception that they are not dealing with armed groups.

While the DR Congo excluded Rwanda from deploying troops with the force, the EAC said Friday all other bloc troops contributing partner states will deploy “within the agreed timeframe.”

A new timetable adopted by East African leaders last month gave all armed groups up to March 30 to withdraw from occupied areas, following a three-step process that was set to start Feb. 28.

The EAC reiterates its demand for an immediate cease-fire, withdrawal of all armed groups from eastern DR Congo and embracing dialogue, the statement added.

Fighting in North Kivu province where government forces are battling M23 rebels has heightened tensions between Rwanda and the neighboring DR Congo government.

Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the rebel group, a charge Rwanda consistently denies.

In the latest incident, Rwanda and Congolese troops briefly clashed at the western border Friday, leaving a DR Congo soldier dead, according to the Rwandan military.