Burundi will maintain pressure on the armed opposition

Significance

The Burundian presence will further exacerbate local tensions in the DRC and illustrates that hardliners continue to control Burundi’s government.

Impacts

• The prospects for dialogue are poor as the ruling party has no interest in opening the political space as the armed opposition demands.
• A recent law creating a new military reserve force is being seen by many as an attempt to formalise and reward the Imbonerakure.
• Ongoing unrest in eastern DRC has significant potential to disrupt regional trade.