APA – Bujumbura (Burundi) – Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are set to sign later on Monday a military cooperation deal providing a legal framework for the supply of equipment and the training of troops, APA learnt Monday from a diplomatic source.
It is expected that Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his DR Congolese counterpart will oversee the signing of the agreement in the Congolese capital city, Kinshasa.
President Ndayishimiye, begins a working visit in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as tensions in the Great Lakes Region remain high.
In August last year, Burundi became the first country to deploy troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the decision by the East African Community for a joint mission against rebels.
The Burundian soldiers are currently stationed at the Luberezi training centre, about 100km from Bukavu, the largest city in South Kivu from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Apart from its deployment under the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), the Burundian army also entered the DR Congo to hunt down foreign and local armed groups.
There is also a Burundian armed group based in South Kivu, RED Tabara, under the command of the Congolese army.
In North Kivu province, Burundian forces are deployed in Sake, Kirolirwe and Kitchanga villages in Masisi territory under EACRF.
CU/as/APA