Uganda, Feb. 19 -- Burundi has officially joined the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces fighting against the M23 rebels in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a move that could escalate the conflict into a regional one.

The development was communicated following a meeting between presidents Felix Tshesikedi (DRC), Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi) and Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) yesterday.

Mr Tshesikedi said Burundi will coordinate with South Africa on the ground operations against M23 rebels.

"On this subject, the three Heads of State discussed the best coordination of operations on the ground. South Africa and Burundi are among the troop-contributing countries of the SAMIDRC," the DRC presidency said ...