Burundi's President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, has cautioned that the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could destabilize the entire region.

His warning follows significant territorial gains by the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda reportedly backs. The armed group has taken control of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, and is advancing southward.

The ongoing conflict has already claimed an estimated six million lives over the past 30 years. President Ndayishimiye, in a statement shared on social media, stressed that instability in eastern Congo threatens peace across the region. He warned that the conflict could spread into Burundi if Rwanda continues expanding its influence.

M23 forces are moving towards Kavumu in South Kivu, a city with a crucial military airfield. The Congolese army has established its defensive line just 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in an attempt to halt the rebels' advance.

Burundi has deployed troops in eastern DRC as part of the East African Community (EAC) military intervention. However, the Congolese government and local communities accused other EAC forces of aligning with groups hostile to Kinshasa, leading to widespread distrust.

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