Burundi

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Military & Security

Politics

Burundi is withdrawing its forces deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo against the Alliance for the Congo River, or AFC, a rebel alliance led by the Rwandan-backed M23, Reuters reported on Feb. 18.

Congo: Burundi Withdraws Troops Amid Infighting Among Pro-Government Forces Following Loss of Bukavu

The Rwandan-backed M23 seized the towns of Katana and Kavumu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Bukavu airport is located, Reuters reported on Feb. 14, quoting three different sources.

Congo: AFC/M23 Capture Bukavu Airport Despite Opening of Humanitarian Corridor Proposal, Church Initiative

South Africa

Uganda

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye warned against a regionalization of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and accused Rwanda of "preparing something" against Burundi, Radio France Internationale reported on Feb. 2. 

Congo: Burundi Warns of Regional War as South African Forces Languish, Uganda Deploys Troops

M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo allegedly encircled the eastern town of Sake, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of North Kivu province's capital Goma, Africanews reported on Feb. 8.

Congo: M23 Encircles Strategic Town Near Goma  

Tanzania

Two East African presidents on Nov. 11 condemned a decision by the International Criminal Court to open a war crimes investigation into Burundi, saying it undermined regional peace initiatives, Reuters reported.

Uganda, Tanzania: East African Presidents Condemn Burundi War Crimes Investigation

Canada

Chile

Mexico

Peru

United States

Australia

Japan

Malaysia

New Zealand

Singapore

Vietnam

Globalization

Negotiators from the 11 remaining countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact began talks in Tokyo on Sept. 21 to discuss freezing parts of the proposed deal that had been introduced by the United States, Mainichi reported.

Japan: Remaining TPP Members Resume Discussion On How To Move Forward Without The U.S.

Congolese forces have shot and killed at least 18 Burundian refugees near Burundi's border, officials said Sept. 16, AP reported.

Congo: Military Forces Kill At Least 18 Burundi Refugees, U.N. Says

Sudan

South African International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane submitted an official Instrument of Withdrawal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Oct. 19 signaling its intention to leave the Netherlands-based body, News 24 reported Oct. 21.

South Africa: Government Withdraws From International Criminal Court

Terrorism and Security

Assessments

Angola

An M23 fighter stands in the foreground as detained Congolese soldiers are loaded onto trucks on Jan. 30, 2025, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Unless the Congolese government agrees to enter direct talks, Rwanda-backed rebels will likely resume their advance toward the city of Bukavu, whose fall would expose Congo to mounting instability, including nationwide unrest and a potential military coup.

Fighting in Eastern Congo Reaches a Crossroads as Rebels Press Southward

Columns

On Geopolitics

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Sudan

Central African Republic

Cote d'Ivoire

Ethiopia

Kenya

Mali

Mozambique

Nigeria

Zimbabwe

Women sit under U.N.-branded cardboard boxes in Semera, Ethiopia, on Feb. 14, 2022, as they wait to be registered by the authorities at a hotel compound hosting civilians fleeing violence. 

Economics

Social Issues

GBV is often primarily seen as a women’s and human rights issue. But in sub-Saharan Africa, it is also a key constraint to stable (and democratic) governance, economic growth, and lasting peace.

The Geopolitics of Gender-Based Violence in Africa

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, speaks during the African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb. 5, 2022.

Security

East African Integration

Congo's ports will grant the East African Community access to the Atlantic Ocean, but the country's overall poor infrastructure and security will limit the volume of trade with other bloc members. 

How Congo's EAC Membership Will Alter Trade in East Africa

Cuba

El Salvador

Venezuela

China

Myanmar

North Korea

Europe

Russia

Iran

Iraq

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about the situation in Myanmar following the recent military coup in Washington D.C. on Feb. 10, 2021. 

U.S.-China Relations

Venezuela's Unraveling

Energy

Iran's Arc of Influence

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

Russia's Internal Struggle

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Amid talk of new U.S. sanctions on Myanmar and Russia, we review what factors make such penalties most effective in actually altering a country’s behavior.

Reviewing the Role and Effectiveness of Sanctions

Snapshots

Somalia

The Jihadist Wars

Al Shabaab militia staged a deadly attack on a military base outside Mogadishu, underlining how difficult it will be to keep the peace in Somalia after African Union forces leave.

Somalia: The Fight Against Jihadists Takes Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

The Untapped Potential of Lake Victoria

Despite the region's natural advantages, it has never become a center of geopolitical power.

If Burundi follows through with its threat, it would deal a significant blow to the mission, which draws about a quarter of its force from the country.

Burundi: Government Orders Troops to Withdraw From AMISOM

Djibouti

Senior U.S. officials say al Shabaab is included under a law authorizing military force against terrorist organizations linked to 9/11 attacks.

 Somalia: U.S. Increases Authority to Attack Militant Group

Reflections

Gambia

Even those countries that do not fear prosecution see little strategic benefit in remaining members of the institution.

The Difficulties of North African Reform

Old Leaders in a New Africa

The ICC, which has operated out of The Hague since 2002, is a U.N. body that can prosecute individuals who have committed war crimes, genocide and other crimes against humanity. Its jurisdiction covers places where recognized governments are unwilling or unable to carry out judicial processes themselves.

 Why Africa Is Turning Its Back on the International Criminal Court

Despite its recent success, the bloc will have a hard time achieving its bold agenda.

East Africa has been blessed, at least for the past decade, with a level of political stability rarely found on the African continent. Amid this period of relative calm, the East African Community (EAC) has enjoyed unbridled growth and rapid progress toward fulfilling its mission to merge its members -- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and, most recently, South Sudan -- into a single, federated state.

East Africa: Where Ambition Meets Reality

Algeria

Jordan

Syria

Turkey

Yemen

Egypt

Libya

Morocco

Pakistan

The Coup Felt Round the World

Turkey's Resurgence

After the attempted coup in Turkey, leaders of other countries will reassess their holds on power.

Securing Somalia, Whatever the Cost

AMISOM member countries have more to lose in Somalia than money.

A small, landlocked country in Africa, Burundi is bordered by Rwanda to the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west and Tanzania to the east and south.    Since gaining independence from Belgium in 1962, Burundi has struggled with internal ethnic divides similar to those of Rwanda. These divides are Burundi's greatest challenge, and cycles of ethnic violence have often broken out between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi ethnic groups. Relatedly, the country's turn toward authoritarian rule under President Pierre Nkurunziza in recent years has been, in part, an attempt to consolidate power in Hutu hands at the expense of Tutsis. Burundi's geographic proximity and ethnic ties to neighboring Rwanda have provided an additional challenge for its rulers, as they must manage relations with the country's wealthier and significantly more powerful neighbor. On top of that, the security issued in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo have heaped problems on Bujumbura, Burundi's capital, as militant groups have taken refuge in the vast territories beyond Burundi's borders.     Because of its links to the Great Lakes region, Burundi has tried to hop on the bandwagon of regional integration with the East African Community. However, Burundi has largely failed to capitalize on the development happening in Rwanda, and its long-running political problems have made efforts to connect it to regional infrastructure less attractive. This lack of regional integration poses a significant problem for Burundi, which has high import and export costs because of its landlocked position. 

SITUATION REPORTS

Congo: Burundi Withdraws Troops Amid Infighting Among Pro-Government Forces Following Loss of Bukavu

Congo: AFC/M23 Capture Bukavu Airport Despite Opening of Humanitarian Corridor Proposal, Church Initiative

Congo: Burundi Warns of Regional War as South African Forces Languish, Uganda Deploys Troops

Congo: M23 Encircles Strategic Town Near Goma

Uganda, Tanzania: East African Presidents Condemn Burundi War Crimes Investigation

Japan: Remaining TPP Members Resume Discussion On How To Move Forward Without The U.S.

Congo: Military Forces Kill At Least 18 Burundi Refugees, U.N. Says

South Africa: Government Withdraws From International Criminal Court

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