Doctor of the Congo Crisis: What roles do Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda perform?

Rwanda sees Burundi’s troops as another security threat to the Eastern Congo.

Over the years, there were thousands of soldiers in countries that crossed the border with both Rwanda and the Doctor of Congo. They went to hunt down Burundi rebels, but now they support Kinshasa’s army in the fight against the M23.

Rwanda and Burundi’s relationship is hostile. Both countries have similar ethnic compositions, but unlike Rwanda, the majority of Hutus hold power in Burundi. Both countries accused each other of trying to overthrow their respective governments.

Burundi President Evaliste Ndanishimier has issued a strong verbal warning to social media.

“If Rwanda continues to conquer, he wrote, “I know that war will even arrive in Burundi… One day, he (Kagame) wants to come to Burundi – we I’m not going to accept it. The war will spread.”

The threat increases as the M23 continues their progress from Goma to South Kivu province and continues their progress towards South Kivu province, near the Burundi border, where its forces are stationed.

“What Burundi is looking for here is the survival of the government,” Stearns said.

“Burundi is worried that Rwandan forces will expand their influence to South Kivu, which could make Bujumbura’s government unstable. What is at stake here is before they get close to their homes. It’s about stopping this rebellion.”

Some fear that two wars that involved the region in the late 1990s will be repeated.

This time, a direct clash between the two troops could potentially widen Dr. Congo’s conflict across the border.