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”.
