Uncovering Joint Deals Between Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa And Burundi Army. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame in April shared important information described as “tangible evidence” that broadly gave a glimpse into the intricate security dynamics in the Great Lakes region.
Kagame described his information as intelligence gathered that Rwanda has been volunteering to parties involved in restoring security in the DRC’s Eastern region.
The declassification of high profile intel was triggered by a question posed by a journalist during their virtual interaction with President Paul Kagame on April 27.
The journalist wanted Kagame’s explanation on the ethnic cleansing targeting Banyamulenge in south Kivu, DRC.
According to Kagame, the Banyamulenge are regularly attacked by a cocktail of rebel groups terrorizing Uvira, Fizi and Mwenga areas in South Kivu. Some of these rebel groups are directly sponsored by Burundi government and provide cover for soldiers of Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB).
“Our intelligence collection tells us Burundi government forces are operating in that part of DR Congo,” President Kagame revealed, adding that Rwanda has shared Intelligence info with Kinshasa government and the UN (Monusco) in jointly dealing with the situation.
Burundi’s new president, Gen. Evariste Ndayishimiye, has been the overseer of Burundi’s secrete operations in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo- He has been in charge of the department of military affairs in the president’s office.
However, new details have also emerged on how Burundi has overtime created a stealth network with rebel groups in DRC with the ultimate aim of plundering resources there as the only possible means to survive isolation.
Deal Between Maï-Maï Rebels & Burundi
Burundi government has been trying so hard to prevent being overrun by rebels known as Resistance for Rule of Law in Burundi (RED-Tabara) that cross from DRC bases and attack inside Burundi territory.
Sources indicate that Burundi government proposed a deal with Maï-Maï militia group in DRC.
The militia group sent its representatives to Gitega the administrative capital of Burundi. Both sides agreed on terms of collaboration.
There are two Maï-Maï factions that Burundi is currently dealing with in DRC -“Mai-Mai Mutetezi Kibukila” and “Maï-Maï René”.
They both provide cover for the Burundian soldiers currently in DRC.
The first group embarked on a hunt for Masango-based Red Tabara- and in return “Maï-Maï Mutetezi Kibukila” is given arms, ammunition and 2,000 US dollars, sources said.
The second faction “Maï-Maï René” serves as a scout for the Burundian soldiers.
“They pass through Lake Tanganyika and then take a path that passes through Kingongo and Makobola (Fizi Territory). We are their guide. In return, they supply us with weapons and ammunition. That’s not all, the Burundian authorities facilitate the transport of coltan produced in Kitalilo and Rurambwe in the Tanganyika sector,” according to a source.
According to a Maï-Maï fighter who requested to remain anonymity, the Burundian army is also collaborating with two other rebel movements present in South Kivu.
These are the Maï-Maï Mbulu and Gumino of Colonel Nyamusaraba also supporting the RNC (Rwandan National Congress) of General Kayumba Nyamwasa.
The wife of Colonel Nyamusaraba was given state protection in Burundi in addition to supply of weapons and ammunition to the Maï-Maï Mbulu and Gumino factions.
She lives in the Kamenge area and enjoys full protection from a team of police officers responsible for her security.
The house where she lives was made available to her by the Burundian government. She doesn’t pay rent.
Whenever, Colonel Nyamusaraba wants to travel to Burundi to see his family, he is accompanied by Burundian soldiers to go up to Bujumbura.
Also the leader of the Mayi-Mayi Mbulu received as a gift from the Burundian authorities a house in Bujumbura the commercial capital.
Under the Gitega- Maï-Maï deal, it was agreed that various rebel factions in South Kivu would regularly hold meetings in Gitega devoted to the financing of the rebellions in question.
Reliable sources say rebels are also receiving treatment in Burundi when it comes to very serious cases.
Lt. Gen. Prime Niyongabo The head of the National Defense Force of Burundi issues certificates to platoon commanders in February
Did Burundi Military Leave DRC After a 48-Hour Ultimatum?
Two days after President Kagame revealed that Burundi military had its boots in south Kivu territory; residents of the Rusizi plain described the presence of a large number of Burundi soldiers (FDNBs).
Some of them were heavily armed. For days they had fought against the Red Tabara group in Masango in the Bijombo group.
“They had to turn back because all the roads leading to the Kigoma grouping where the Red Tabara are active are controlled by the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo),” explained local observers.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi ordered the Burundian army out within 48 hours which they did.
The Burundi government has remained tight lipped on the subject of presence of its troops in DRC. It is a controversial project that Burundi fears its comments may spiral into something else more explosive.
