Why Burundi intervenes in the DRC : self-interest to Pan-Africanist considerations?

Abstract

Questions have abounded as to what Burundi’s motives and interests have been in sending troops and spearheading the intervention in the eastern DRC. With reference to the case of Burundi’s intervention within the framework of the East African Community’s (EAC) response to the growing conflict in the eastern DRC, this article considered a broad range of what Burundi’s motives and interests might be. This included security and stability, both nationally and regionally, regional political dynamics and the position of Burundi within this, and trade and business opportunities. However, this article argues although all of these have explanatory power, some of the complexity and nuance of the intervention is missed if we do not place it within the context of Pan-Africanist considerations, including that of African integration, African self-reliance and agency, and African ownership of and control over its own resources.