https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250221/burundi-reportedly-accelerates-troop-withdrawal-from-dr-congo-amid-rising-regional-tensions-1070758634.html
Burundi Reportedly Accelerates Troop Withdrawal From DR Congo Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Burundi Reportedly Accelerates Troop Withdrawal From DR Congo Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Sputnik Africa
On Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced that the United States is sanctioning a Rwandan minister and a high-ranking member of the... 21.02.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-02-21T12:55+0100
2025-02-21T12:55+0100
2025-02-21T12:55+0100
m23 rebels offensive in dr congo (2025)
burundi
conflict
military
rwanda
united nations (un)
us state department
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
central africa
east africa
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/02/15/1070758752_0:492:2730:2028_1920x0_80_0_0_2f3fd663190a8b5c6b81111ec47f0e0e.jpg
Burundi has expedited the withdrawal of its troops from the DRC as conflict escalates in the eastern part of the country, media reported.A senior military source confirmed the decision to a Western media outlet on Thursday, coinciding with a warning from the United Nations about Burundi facing its largest influx of refugees from the DRC in 25 years.The move comes as violence intensifies in eastern DRC, where government forces continue to battle various armed groups. In a recent airstrike, the Congolese military killed Michel Rukunda, also known as Makanika, a former Congolese army colonel and leader of the Twiraneho militia. According to local reports, Makanika was eliminated in South Kivu province alongside several of his close associates. His group had been coordinating operations with the M23 rebel movement, which has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks.M23, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has advanced into strategic areas after capturing two key cities, according to the UN. The growing instability has prompted international reactions, with Germany summoning the Rwandan ambassador in Berlin to condemn M23's actions and urge political dialogue to prevent further escalation. At the same time, Kinshasa has called on Rwanda to rejoin the Luanda peace process, accusing its neighbor of derailing efforts to end the conflict.At the United Nations, DRC’s Ambassador Zenon Mukongo Ngay criticized the Security Council for what he described as a lack of decisive action on the crisis. In an interview with Sputnik, he accused the UN of focusing more on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza while failing to address the worsening humanitarian and security situation in his country.Meanwhile, regional concerns are growing, with Kenya considering the evacuation of its citizens from DRC due to the spreading violence. In eastern Congo, disorder has also affected the Congolese military itself, as some soldiers reportedly deserted and engaged in looting in Lubero after fleeing battles with rebel forces. The army has since ordered them to return within 12 hours and warned against any further misconduct, according to reports.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250221/us-sanctions-rwandan-minister-senior-militant-over-dr-congo-conflict-state-department-says-1070752889.html
burundi
rwanda
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
central africa
east africa
kenya
ukraine
gaza
middle east
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2025
Christina Glazkova
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/0b/07/1063380906_0:0:673:674_100x100_80_0_0_79628b4d0cd9f29291a57aa13bbf9e7a.jpg
Christina Glazkova
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/0b/07/1063380906_0:0:673:674_100x100_80_0_0_79628b4d0cd9f29291a57aa13bbf9e7a.jpg
News
en_EN
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Christina Glazkova
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/0b/07/1063380906_0:0:673:674_100x100_80_0_0_79628b4d0cd9f29291a57aa13bbf9e7a.jpg
burundi, conflict, military, rwanda, united nations (un), us state department, democratic republic of the congo (drc), central africa, east africa, kenya, evacuation, ukraine, gaza, middle east, m23 rebels, refugees
burundi, conflict, military, rwanda, united nations (un), us state department, democratic republic of the congo (drc), central africa, east africa, kenya, evacuation, ukraine, gaza, middle east, m23 rebels, refugees
Burundi Reportedly Accelerates Troop Withdrawal From DR Congo Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
On Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced that the United States is sanctioning a Rwandan minister and a high-ranking member of the M23 rebel group due to their involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Burundi has expedited the withdrawal of its troops from the DRC as conflict escalates in the eastern part of the country, media reported.
A senior military source confirmed the decision to a Western media outlet on Thursday, coinciding with a warning from the United Nations about Burundi facing its largest influx of
refugees from the DRC in 25 years.
The move comes as violence intensifies in eastern DRC, where government forces continue to battle various armed groups. In a recent airstrike, the Congolese military killed Michel Rukunda, also known as Makanika, a former Congolese army colonel and leader of the Twiraneho militia. According to local reports, Makanika was eliminated in South Kivu province alongside several of his close associates. His group had been coordinating operations with the M23 rebel movement, which has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks.
M23, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has advanced into strategic areas after capturing two key cities, according to the UN. The growing instability has prompted international reactions, with Germany summoning the Rwandan ambassador in Berlin to condemn M23's actions and urge political dialogue to prevent further escalation. At the same time, Kinshasa has called on Rwanda to rejoin the Luanda peace process, accusing its neighbor of derailing efforts to end the conflict.
At the United Nations, DRC’s Ambassador Zenon Mukongo Ngay criticized the Security Council for what he described as a lack of decisive action on the crisis. In an interview with
Sputnik, he accused the UN of focusing more on conflicts in
Ukraine and Gaza while failing to address the worsening humanitarian and security situation in his country.
Meanwhile, regional concerns are growing, with
Kenya considering the evacuation of its citizens from DRC due to the spreading violence.
In eastern Congo, disorder has also affected the Congolese military itself, as some soldiers reportedly deserted and engaged in
looting in Lubero after fleeing battles with rebel forces. The army has since ordered them to return within 12 hours and warned against any further misconduct, according to reports.
