Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye has initiated a program to train a large number of young people in military skills, with the goal of increasing the number of soldiers deployed to fight in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This move is expected to boost the number of Burundian soldiers assisting the Democratic Republic of Congo's military in their fight against the Allied Democratic Forces/M23 rebel group.
According to sources, President Ndayishimiye plans to establish three new training centers for young recruits, known as Imbonerakure, in different parts of the country. These centers will be located in Rukoko, Bujumbura Province; Cankuzo, Bubanza Province; and Makamba, Burunga Province. This initiative is in addition to two existing centers, Kigarika and Nyaruhengeri, which were launched earlier this year in Buhumuza Province.
The Imbonerakure training program aims to produce highly skilled and dedicated soldiers who will be deployed to fight in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over 600 young recruits have already completed their training at the two existing centers and have been deployed to the conflict zone. The program is part of a broader effort to increase the number of Burundian soldiers fighting in the region.
President Ndayishimiye's move is also driven by a desire to increase the financial support he receives from the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi. Under an agreement signed in May 2023, Tshisekedi provides $5,000 per month to Ndayishimiye for each Burundian soldier deployed to the conflict zone. This amount was increased from $2,000 per soldier.
However, the Burundian military has been facing internal challenges, including desertion and discontent among soldiers. Some soldiers have expressed concerns about being deployed to fight in the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing the risks to their lives. Others have defected to neighboring countries.
President Ndayishimiye has emphasized the importance of the Imbonerakure program in strengthening the Burundian military. In a recent speech, he stated that all young people in Burundi are considered soldiers and that they have a duty to serve their country. The program is seen as a key component of his efforts to build a more effective and dedicated military.
The launch of the new military unit is part of a broader effort to boost Burundi's military capabilities and its contribution to regional security. The country has been a key player in regional efforts to stabilize the Democratic Republic of Congo and has deployed troops to the conflict zone.
Key points
- President Ndayishimiye has launched a new military unit to fight in eastern Congo.
- The unit, comprised of young recruits, aims to boost Burundi's military presence in the region.
- The move is driven by a desire to increase financial support from the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Tshisekedi.
