Burundi deploys troops to eastern Congo

“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,” a senior Burundian army officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because is not authorized to speak to the media said.

In a statement earlier Friday, the EAC confirmed Burundian troops would be deployed on 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 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 on February 28.

The EAC reiterates call for 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 neighboring DR Congo government.

Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group, a charge Rwanda consistently denies.

In the latest incident, Rwanda and Congolese troops briefly clashed at the western common border on Friday, leaving a soldier of the DR Congo army dead, the Rwandan military said.