More than 17 soldiers from the Burundian army fighting on the side of the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo were killed in recent clashes with the Twirwaneho group allied with the M23 in the Rugezi region of South Kivu.
The Rugezi area is located in the Lulenge sector of the Fizi territory. It is known that this area includes two localities: Budamu and Sabune.
In the middle of this week, heavy fighting occurred in that area between Twirwaneho allied with M23 against a coalition of Congolese forces that includes Burundian troops, Congolese forces, and armed groups including FDLR and Wazalendo.
This fighting reportedly left more than 17 Burundian soldiers dead.
The media outlet Sos Media Burundi, which reported this news, stated that on April 15, 2025, and April 12, 2025, there was intense warfare between Burundian forces allied with FARDC and fighters from Mai Mai Biloze Bishambuke against the Twirwaneho group.
It further stated that this fighting took place in Rugezi and Kabanju in the Fizi territory. A fighter from Twirwaneho confirmed that more than 17 Burundian soldiers died in that fighting.
According to Sos Media Burundi, this fighter declined to reveal his name but told them: “There are many Burundian soldiers who died in that fighting. We captured one of them, along with their high-tech equipment and weapons.”
After the fighting, these Burundian troops were found in the city of Baraka fleeing, where they reportedly crossed to Bujumbura in Burundi via Lake Tanganyika.
In launching attacks in Rugezi, these Burundian troops came from a place called Babengwa, where they were training alongside Mai Mai fighters loyal to General Hamuri Yakutumba.
Burundian soldiers have been in South Kivu since June 2022; their presence in this country is explained by their mission to fight armed groups that threaten their country, including FNL and Red-Tabara, which are considered major enemies of their government. However, despite claiming to be fighting these armed groups, it is known that they conduct attacks against the Banyamulenge in the hills of Uvira, Fizi, and Mwenga.
On several occasions, the President of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, has publicly supported these military actions. In his speech to mark the end of 2023, he stated: “Burundi cannot fold its arms while armed groups continue to terrorize our citizens in the forests of Congo. We have the right to defend ourselves, even if it requires us to cross the borders of our country.”
He reiterated this in 2024, saying: “Our soldiers are in the DRC to hunt down those accused of undermining the security of our country. It is a good action for the region.”
The Burundian army, although it claims to have come to fight the Red-Tabara group operating in this country, is known to be collaborating with the Congo
