Burundi’s Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Prime Niyongabo, made a secret visit to Kinshasa last week, amid reports that military aircraft from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been transporting military equipment to Bujumbura.
The visit and the delivery of military equipment are being viewed as a strong indication of preparations for new attacks against the AFC/M23 coalition and the MRDP Twirwaneho group in eastern DRC.
Sources familiar with the movements said Gen. Niyongabo was accompanied by six senior Burundian military officers. They arrived in Kinshasa on August 6 via Lubumbashi.
They held talks with officials from the Kinshasa side, although the details of the discussions were not disclosed. Gen. Niyongabo and his delegation returned to Bujumbura on August 7 aboard a DRC military aircraft.
His visit coincided with several DRC military aircraft landing in Burundi. Between August 5 and 7, three military aircraft landed in Bujumbura, reportedly carrying equipment intended for use in South Kivu.
Reliable sources said 12 DRC military aircraft had been authorized to land at Bujumbura International Airport between July 23 and October 23, 2026.
The movements come as the DRC and Burundi governments are reportedly preparing to reinforce their forces in South Kivu to prevent AFC/M23 from expanding its positions.
the FDLR, Wazalendo groups and foreign mercenaries lost several positions in fighting around the Minembwe area.
The coalition now fears that AFC/M23 could capture more areas in South Kivu, including Baraka and Fizi in Fizi Territory.
The reports suggest that Gen. Niyongabo’s visit to Kinshasa could lead to an increased deployment of Burundian troops, particularly in South Kivu.
Analysts warn that this could be a major mistake that would put Burundian soldiers in an increasingly difficult situation, as many have already been killed in the fighting in the DRC, prompting some troops to refuse to deploy.
In 2024, hundreds of Burundian soldiers were reportedly detained in Bujumbura after refusing to fight AFC/M23, saying they did not understand why they were fighting in a foreign country.
The soldiers who refused to fight had already been deployed to the DRC. They were returned to Bujumbura by boat and aircraft, tried for offences including disobeying orders, and handed various sentences.
In addition to those convicted, many other Burundian soldiers reportedly fled abroad, fearing they could also be sent to fight in the DRC. They included senior officers, up to the rank of colonel.
Burundi and the DRC appear to be preparing for renewed fighting even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue, despite producing little tangible progress.
