BUJUMBURA, Burundi – In the shadow of the escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a strategic and clandestine air bridge has been established, turning Bujumbura International Airport into a pivotal, yet low-key, hub for military logistics.

For weeks, a steady and mysterious stream of military cargo planes has been observed flying in and out of the Burundian capital. Aviation trackers and regional analysts confirm unusual activity, with flights often arriving under the cover of night or without publicly filed flight plans. This activity points to a coordinated effort to transport weapons, ammunition, and troop reinforcements to the front lines in eastern DRC, where Congolese forces (FARDC) and their allied partners are engaged in a fierce battle against the M23 rebel group.

The airlift is a direct response to intense pressure from the resilient rebellion, which has continued to make significant territorial gains despite the presence of a regional force and international condemnation. Sources indicate that the governments of President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa and President Évariste Ndayishimiye in Gitega have forged a close military partnership, with Burundi contributing a substantial number of soldiers to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the DRC and operating bilaterally.

Bujumbura’s airport offers a strategic advantage: its proximity to the DRC border allows for rapid sorties into Congolese airspace, delivering critical supplies directly to the conflict zone more efficiently than long, vulnerable ground convoys. This logistical choice underscores the urgency felt by both governments as they seek to stem the M23’s advance towards the key city of Goma.

The international community and regional bodies have remained largely silent on the specifics of these flights. However, the covert nature of the operation raises questions about the transparency of the military engagement and the full scale of external involvement in the Congolese conflict. Critics argue that such actions, while potentially bolstering the short-term defensive capabilities of the FARDC, risk further regionalizing the conflict and prolonging a cycle of violence that has devastated eastern DRC for decades.

The mysterious flights in and out of Bujumbura are more than just logistical movements; they are a stark symbol of a conflict drawing in neighboring nations, creating a complex web of alliances that threatens to destabilize the entire Great Lakes region. As the war grinds on, this secretive airlift will likely remain a critical, if hidden, lifeline for the Congolese military effort.