How the M23 conflict strengthened Congo-Burundi alliance
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi have deepened their alliance, moving beyond military cooperation against M23 rebels to include trade, infrastructure, and energy. This partnership is driven by shared security concerns regarding regional instability and the influence of neighboring Rwanda.
Why it matters
The strengthening of this bilateral relationship signals a significant shift in the Great Lakes region's geopolitical landscape, impacting regional security and economic integration.
The advance of M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo may have pushed Kinshasa and Bujumbura into one of their closest periods of cooperation in recent years. Yet, while security concerns remain at the heart of the relationship, the partnership has evolved beyond military coordination to include trade, infrastructure, energy and agriculture, creating a deeper and more durable alliance between the two neighbours.
The process began in 2021 when Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye said the two countries should “join forces to further strengthen the security of their common land and lake borders, in order to eradicate rebel groups that spread death while undermining socio-economic development”.
Two years later, in March 2023, the countries signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement covering intelligence sharing, training, planning and joint operations.
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