Burundi’s National Defense Force (FDN) has firmly rejected reports claiming that several Burundian soldiers have been killed or captured in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaking at a press conference earlier on Thursday, Gaspard Baratuza, spokesperson for the Burundian army, condemned the circulating social media reports, labeling them as “disinformation and misleading.”
The claims, which allege that hundreds of Burundian soldiers died in eastern DRC, stem from a series of images shared on social media showing soldiers purportedly captured or killed in battles between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group. Baratuza, however, refuted the allegations, stressing that “those captured by M23 are not Burundians.” He added that had these soldiers been from Burundi, they would have been handed over to the Red Cross or the ICRC, but that did not occur.
Baratuza also addressed the images of soldiers in Burundian uniforms circulating on social media, explaining, “I have seen photos showing young soldiers supposedly captured, but these individuals are not Burundians.” He further emphasized that even fellow Burundian soldiers failed to recognize them, adding that the photos were likely doctored using Photoshop as part of a campaign to demoralize Burundian troops.
While Baratuza neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of Burundian soldiers being killed or captured in combat, he reiterated that such information is classified as a “military secret.” He urged the public to avoid believing unverified reports and to be cautious about false narratives.
The spokesperson also condemned the spread of misleading information, accusing the M23 rebel group of using inflated death tolls to intimidate the Burundian public and demoralize soldiers. “These false reports are part of a broader propaganda effort to destabilize morale,” Baratuza said.
Reassuring the public, Baratuza emphasized that Burundian soldiers deployed in the DRC are carrying out their mission with professionalism, skill, and discipline. He highlighted that the presence of Burundian forces has significantly contributed to reducing insecurity in border areas. “By the end of 2024, no killings had been reported in the border regions thanks to the presence of our troops in the DRC,” he said.
Baratuza further assured that any casualties would be officially communicated to the affected families and reiterated Burundi’s ongoing commitment to supporting the DRC in its efforts to restore peace and security in the region.
The Burundian spokesperson called on soldiers to ignore rumors and remain focused on their mission, maintaining high morale. He concluded by underscoring that the professionalism and dedication of Burundian troops are vital to the ongoing peacekeeping mission.
Burundi’s involvement in the DRC stems from a bilateral agreement to combat armed groups destabilizing regional security. The M23 rebel group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, has intensified its activity in eastern DRC, drawing international concern over the growing violence. Burundi’s deployment aims to address these security challenges and support its neighboring country in maintaining peace.
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