Burundi disputes claims of “heavy losses” in the conflict with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Burundi refuted claims on Thursday that it had likely suffered significant losses in recent combat with M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“The Burundian National Defense Force strongly condemns anyone who write and spread hateful and disparaging words against our brave soldiers, who are known for their discipline. At a news conference, Defense Ministry spokesperson Gaspard Baratuza said, “We also denounce erroneous figures of Burundian soldiers’ deaths that were shared on social media.”

The images and films were shared on social media for propaganda purposes, he added, adding that the “fabricated probable heavy human and material losses” are intended to demoralize Burundian military.

Burundian soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) fulfill their duties with “seamless professionalism,” according to Baratuza.

He was reacting to reports on social media and in some foreign media that the M23 rebel group claimed that the Congolese military, backed by the Burundian army and local militias, had recently engaged in combat with M23 rebels in DRC’s North Kivu Province, killing close to 200 Burundian soldiers.

As per bilateral and regional accords, Burundian troops have been stationed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2023, according to Baratuza.

“In areas where Burundian soldiers are present, Congolese citizens carry out their activities freely,” he continued.