Belgium has deployed hundreds of soldiers to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a controversial military mission that risks further inflaming tensions in the volatile region. Between 300 and 400 Belgian troops, reportedly supported by tanks and drones, arrived last week at Lwama Camp in Kindu, the capital of Maniema Province.

Officially, the Belgian government describes the deployment as a training operation for Congolese forces. The troops will work with the 31st Brigade of the Rapid Reaction Units (URR), an elite force previously trained by Belgium from 2008 to 2017. However, the M23 rebel group has accused Belgium of direct interference, claiming the European nation plans to fight alongside Congolese forces and allied militias against the rebels.

The deployment comes amid heightened tensions between Rwanda and Belgium, with Kigali recently expelling Belgian diplomats in protest over Brussels’ support for the DRC government. Rwanda views Belgium’s military presence as taking sides in the complex conflict that has dragged on for decades in eastern Congo.

Flight tracking data reveals the careful planning behind the mission. A Belgian Air Force Falcon jet left Belgium on March 17, stopped in Kinshasa, then flew to Kindu Airport the next day before returning to Belgium on March 20. This movement coincided with reports that Belgium received €20 million from the European Union to equip and restore infrastructure for the Congolese 31st Brigade.

The timing of Belgium’s intervention raises questions. It comes just as regional peace efforts showed fragile signs of progress. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese leader Felix Tshisekedi recently met in Doha, Qatar, where they agreed to a ceasefire and supported African-led mediation efforts through SADC and EAC initiatives.

However, with the official end of the Luanda Peace Process on March 24, and former African presidents set to take over mediation, Belgium’s military presence could complicate these delicate diplomatic efforts. The M23 rebels have already framed the Belgian deployment as foreign interference, potentially hardening their stance in future negotiations.

For Belgium, the mission represents continued engagement in its former colony. Brussels has consistently supported Kinshasa within EU forums, pushing for sanctions against Rwanda over its alleged support for M23 rebels. But this latest move marks a significant escalation from diplomatic support to direct military involvement, albeit under the banner of training.

The eastern DRC remains one of Africa’s most complex conflict zones, with numerous armed groups, foreign interests, and valuable minerals creating a deadly mix. As Belgian troops settle into their base in Kindu, the international community watches nervously to see whether this intervention will help stabilize the region or pour fuel on an already raging fire.

With regional relations hanging in the balance and peace talks at a critical stage, Belgium’s return to Congo’s battlefields after years of absence could reshape the conflict’s dynamics in unpredictable ways. As Congolese forces prepare to work with their European partners, and Rwanda watches warily from across the border, the coming weeks may prove decisive for the future of eastern DRC.