Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye held a phone conversation with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, on Saturday regarding the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kagame disclosed the discussion on his official X account but did not reveal specific details.

However, the Rwandan leader described the exchange as “fruitful,” emphasizing the need for “continental collaboration for a lasting solution to the security situation in the region and beyond.”

“Had a fruitful conversation with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and exchanged on the importance of continental collaboration towards a sustainable solution to the security situation in the region and beyond,” the president said in an X post.

“Rwanda looks forward to continued bilateral cooperation with Senegal for the shared prosperity of our people,” he added.

Burundi Raises Alarm Over Regional Spillover

Meanwhile, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has warned that the worsening conflict in eastern DRC risks igniting a broader regional war. Speaking on his official YouTube channel, he urged the international community to take the situation “seriously.”

“If the East of the Congo does not have peace, the region does not have peace,” Ndayishimiye stated, cautioning that “if it continues like this, war is likely to become widespread in the region.” He named Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya among the countries that could be affected by the escalating tensions.

The Burundian president directly accused Rwanda of “preparing something against Burundi” and vowed that his country would not “let it go.” Rwanda has consistently denied any military involvement in the conflict.

Rwanda’s Alleged Military Role and Escalation of Violence

A UN expert report published in July indicated that Rwanda had deployed around 4,000 soldiers in the DRC and was exercising “de facto” control over the M23 rebel group. Kigali has rejected these allegations.

Fighting has intensified in recent days, with M23 rebels—backed by the Rwandan military, according to reports—seizing control of large areas, including parts of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. The rebels are now advancing toward Kavumu in neighboring South Kivu province, where a strategic military airport is located.

Burundi has played an active role in the conflict, with at least 10,000 Burundian troops stationed in North and South Kivu under a military cooperation agreement signed in August 2023. A military source confirmed that Burundian forces, initially deployed to track rebel groups, have now been redeployed to defend Bukavu alongside the Congolese army (FARDC).

Burundian soldiers reportedly suffered casualties when M23 fighters captured Minova in South Kivu before Burundian forces retreated further south.

Humanitarian Toll Grows as Fighting Continues

The conflict has taken a devastating humanitarian toll. According to a UN spokesperson, at least 700 people were killed and 2,800 injured in the battle for Goma between Sunday and Thursday.

With no immediate resolution in sight, concerns are mounting that the war in eastern Congo could destabilize the entire Great Lakes region, further complicating efforts to restore peace.