The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that more than 101,000 Congolese crossed into Burundi in early December 2025 following violent clashes in the Ruzizi Valley.
When the fighting subsided on December 9, many refugees sought to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the Burundian government rejected their requests. Some were detained, while others were warned they would be relocated to camps far from the border.
Human rights organizations say the refugees are enduring dire conditions in Burundi, marked by shortages of food, clean water, and access to medical care. Since early December, more than 100 Congolese refugees have reportedly died from hunger and diseases, including cholera linked to poor sanitation.
The AFC/M23 coalition has urged Burundi to reopen the Gatumba and Vugizo border posts to allow refugees to return home. The government, however, has maintained its refusal despite the worsening humanitarian situation.
Since last week, some of the refugees living in the temporary Cishemere camp in Cibitoke have started crossing the Ruzizi River after hearing that they would be moved to camps further from the border.
According to the SOS Media, the decision to cross the river was risky, with two refugees tragically drowning. Their belongings, found on January 2, were badly damaged.
Despite the risks, some refugees have managed to cross the river with help from Burundian residents.
Their life back home, however, is drastically different from the one they are enduring in the camps.
A returnee in Luvungi shared, 'After all I went through in the temporary camp, I didn't want to stay there anymore. Some Burundians helped me cross the Ruzizi River. Today, I am living a normal life in Luvungi.'
Some Congolese refugees resorted to bribing Burundian soldiers, police officers, and members of the Imbonerakure militia to gain permission to cross the border and reunite with their families.
A refugee from Sange in South Kivu said, 'I was with my wife and our eight children. They asked for 300,000 Burundian francs. I had to give them three of our goats to allow us to cross.'
Many refugees remain stranded, unable to return due to fear of drowning in the Ruzizi River or lack of money to pay bribes. They continue to appeal to the Burundian government to open border routes and allow them to return to their homeland.
IGIHE
