https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/22/burundi-sends-troops-to-drc-for-regional-peacekeeping-force
In late August, troops from Burundi deployed to eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo claiming to have the goal of restoring peace in the area. The DRC, which boasts an abundance of mineral rich land, has long been a place of conflict between various governments and rebel groups. At the present time there are over 120 armed groups active in the area. This maneuver by Burundi has sparked controversy in the DRC, as well as the surrounding countries and groups, including human rights groups and their members. There has been skepticism by these activists that Burundian presence in the DRC will only worsen the conflicts, as Burundian troops have negative relationships with various armed groups in the region and will attempt to attack those who have harmed their homeland.
This situation will have an intense effect on sub-Saharan Africa, obviously the DRC in particular. Because forgein affairs in these countries are often messy and hostile due to longstanding patterns of conflict and continuous power struggles, the presence of yet another military in an already inflamed country will undoubtedly worsen fighting and violence. In addition, due to the fact that Burundi has underlying goals to exact revenge upon groups already engaged in conflict in the area, I don’t believe that much good, if any, will come from this maneuver. Although it is not extremely clear what Burundi’s true intentions are with their move into the DRC, it can be inferred that they will eventually be added to the number of military groups engaged in the violence there.
The current conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa could be correlated to groups fighting to potentially gain statehood and international recognition. In the struggle for power in this area, it is quite possible that some militaristic, cultural, and religious groups have a desire to gain their sovereignty and become a recognized state.