Recent clashes between the FDLR, Burundian forces, and the Imbonerakure militia in Kibira lasted from March 11 to 13. The FDLR attempted to acquire food from locals, allegedly with support from government officials. The Burundian army seems to be changing its approach towards the FDLR amid ongoing diplomatic normalization with Rwanda.
Recent reports indicate that clashes occurred between the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB), the FDLR, and the Imbonerakure militia in Kibira, located within the Bukinanyana Commune in north-western Burundi. These conflicts transpired from March 11 to March 13, reportedly ignited by the FDLR’s efforts to procure sustenance from local residents in Butahana, where it is alleged that government and military officials are providing support to the militia, including food and weapons.
Sources suggest a shift in the Burundian army’s approach toward the FDLR, a group historically associated with the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The army appears to be pressuring the FDLR to exit Burundian territory in favor of returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Previously, Burundian soldiers had actively cooperated with the FDLR as part of a coalition with the Congolese government against the AFC/M23 rebels in eastern DRC.
As a designated terror group by the United Nations and composed of survivors of the genocide perpetrators, the FDLR has long collaborated with both Burundian and Congolese military forces. This collaboration has consistently been viewed by Rwanda as a significant threat to regional security. The recent skirmishes between these groups have come during a period of on-going efforts to normalize diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Burundi, relations that had been strained due to Burundi’s alignment with DRC’s regime change aspirations affecting Rwanda and the ongoing FDLR attacks against it since the last two decades.
In summary, the recent clashes in Kibira have highlighted the complex relationships between Burundian forces, the FDLR, and regional security dynamics. The apparent shift in the Burundian military’s stance towards the FDLR suggests a potential re-evaluation of alliances, particularly amidst current efforts to improve diplomatic relations with Rwanda. These developments underscore the fragile nature of security in the region and the historical implications of the FDLR’s presence.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
