DR Congo army retreats weapons to Burundi as M23 threatens Uvira city
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have begun moving their military equipment into neighboring Burundi amid growing fears that the M23 rebels could capture the city of Uvira.
As security deteriorates in Uvira, deep concern is spreading among FARDC troops and their allies, who fear that the city could fall into the hands of the AFC/M23 rebels if ongoing peace talks collapse.
This situation has prompted the FARDC to start relocating heavy military equipment across the Kavimvira-Gatumba border into Burundi, specifically to the Mudubugu military camp.
The fear stems from a hard lesson learned by Kinshasa in late January, when Goma fell under the control of AFC/M23. At that time, the rebels seized a large cache of weapons, including small fighter planes, anti-drone guns, and armored vehicles.
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A military attaché representing his country in Burundi, who requested anonymity, told Great Lakes Eye that the transfer of the weapons was a “strategic military withdrawal” aimed at preventing significant losses of expensive equipment.
However, analysts warn that this move could pave the way for AFC/M23 to capture Uvira meaning the group would then control three key cities: Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira.
Despite FARDC and its allied forces including FDLR militias composed largely of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Burundian soldiers, European and American mercenaries, and the Wazalendo militias having large numbers and advanced weaponry, they have failed to push back AFC/M23.
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AFC/M23 has publicly stated that it will continue fighting until peace talks reach an outcome that satisfies their demands. In a press briefing following the fall of Goma, Corneille Nangaa, the head of AFC/M23’s political wing.
Declared: “We are Congolese. We will continue our journey to liberate the country until we reach Kinshasa. When they tell us to retreat, where do they expect us to go? We have nowhere else to go.”
The rebel group’s military commander, Maj. Gen. Sultani Makenga, also affirmed that they would keep advancing toward Kisangani and Kinshasa as long as President Félix Tshisekedi continues to deny them their rights as Congolese citizens.
FARDC’s withdrawal of key military assets suggests that confidence in winning the war is waning. Observers closely following developments in Congo believe Uvira could fall within days a clear sign that government forces are losing their ability to defend the country.
