New Claims of Burundian Troop Casualties Revive Scrutiny Over Its Role in Eastern Congo

A report released by the Burundian media monitoring group SOS Médias Burundi on Tuesday alleged that the Burundian army suffered additional, previously unreported losses while operating in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The statement, which cites unnamed sources within the Burundian defence establishment, claims that at least twelve soldiers were killed and several others wounded during a series of engagements with armed groups near the town of Kabare in the first week of July. The report adds that the casualties were not reflected in official briefings from Burundi’s Ministry of Defence, prompting questions about the transparency of the deployment and the extent of the country's involvement in the conflict.

According to the SOS Médias release, the incidents occurred during joint patrols conducted alongside Congolese security forces and members of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Burundian contingent, which has been present in the region since early 2023 under a bilateral security agreement with Kinshasa, was reportedly responding to an ambush by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to the Islamic State that has been active in the area for more than a decade. The group’s spokesperson described the ambush as “a coordinated attack on a convoy transporting humanitarian aid and security personnel,” and said that the attackers used improvised explosive devices and small arms fire.

Burundi’s government has consistently denied that its troops are engaged in combat operations beyond the scope of protecting humanitarian convoys and supporting Congolese forces against insurgents. In a statement issued on 30 June, the Ministry of Defence said that its soldiers were “providing logistical support and training to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and that any casualties incurred were the result of isolated incidents.” The new figures, however, suggest a higher level of exposure to frontline fighting than previously acknowledged.

The alleged losses come at a time when regional actors are reassessing the composition of foreign forces operating in eastern DRC. Since 2017, the province of South Kivu has been a flashpoint for violence involving a mixture of rebel factions, local militias, and foreign mercenaries. The ADF, originally a Ugandan rebel group, has expanded its operations into the mineral‑rich eastern provinces, exploiting porous borders and weak state presence. The conflict has displaced millions, caused thousands of civilian deaths, and generated a complex security environment that has drawn in neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, each of which maintains a military footprint in the area.

The presence of Burundian troops in the DRC is part of a broader regional security framework aimed at curbing the influence of armed groups that threaten cross‑border stability. Burundi’s involvement was formalised through a 2022 agreement with the Congolese government that allowed for the deployment of a limited number of soldiers to assist in “counter‑insurgency and capacity‑building” tasks. Critics have argued that the arrangement blurs the line between assistance and direct combat, especially as the Burundian army has been accused in the past of committing human rights violations in its own country’s internal conflicts.

Human rights organisations have called for an independent investigation into the alleged casualties, citing concerns that the lack of official acknowledgment may conceal violations of international humanitarian law. Amnesty International’s regional director for Central Africa, in a statement released on 2 July, warned that “unreported troop losses can be indicative of covert operations that are not subject to civilian oversight, increasing the risk of abuses against civilians.” The statement also highlighted the need for transparent reporting mechanisms to ensure that all parties to the conflict adhere to the principles of distinction and proportionality.

The DRC’s Ministry of Interior and Security has not yet responded to requests for comment on the SOS Médias report. MONUSCO, which oversees peacekeeping operations across the country, reiterated its commitment to “monitoring the conduct of all armed actors” and emphasized that any breaches of the rules of engagement would be reported to the United Nations headquarters. In a recent briefing, the mission’s spokesperson said that “the security situation in South Kivu remains volatile, and coordination among national and allied forces is essential to protect civilians.”

Analysts note that the new casualty figures could have diplomatic repercussions for Burundi, which is already under international scrutiny for its handling of political opposition and civil unrest at home. The United States and European Union have imposed targeted sanctions on Burundian officials for alleged human rights abuses, and any perception of increased involvement in foreign conflicts may complicate diplomatic relations. Moreover, the incident underscores the challenges faced by the DRC government in managing a multi‑national security presence while attempting to assert sovereignty over its eastern territories.

The episode also raises practical questions about the command and control structures governing joint operations between Burundian troops, Congolese forces, and UN peacekeepers. Experts from the International Crisis Group have previously warned that “fragmented command hierarchies can lead to operational confusion, making it harder to attribute responsibility for civilian harm.” The lack of clear reporting on Burundian casualties may reflect gaps in coordination that could impede accountability mechanisms.

In the coming weeks, the situation is likely to be monitored closely by regional bodies such as the African Union and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, both of which have called for a comprehensive approach to stabilising eastern DRC. Whether the alleged losses will prompt a reassessment of Burundi’s deployment strategy remains uncertain, but the incident adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate security landscape.