Burundi faces largest refugee influx in 25 years amid escalating DRC conflict! Burundi is witnessing its biggest influx of refugees in 25 years, as thousands of families flee the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has reported.
The violence in eastern DRC has intensified, with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels making significant territorial gains, capturing key cities such as Goma and Bukavu. This has raised concerns among international organizations, including the United Nations Security Council, about the possibility of a wider regional war.
The UN warned on Wednesday that M23 rebels are advancing towards other strategic areas in North and South Kivu provinces, further displacing civilians and worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis.
Thousands of Refugees Pour into Burundi
Burundi, a small East African nation, shares a border with the DRC and has seen an unprecedented wave of refugees in recent weeks.
“This is the largest number of refugees that Burundi has seen since the early 2000s,” said Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, UNHCR’s representative in Burundi, during a press briefing in Bujumbura on Wednesday.
Burundi faces largest refugee influx
She estimated that around 30,000 people had already crossed into Burundi, with thousands more arriving every day.
The Burundian government reported on Monday that at least 10,000 people had entered the country through its western border, fleeing the conflict.
Refugees Describe Scenes of Chaos and Violence
Many refugees recount harrowing experiences of fleeing their homes under heavy gunfire.
Kitenge, a 25-year-old motorbike taxi rider, told AFP that he escaped with his wife and two children even before M23 rebels reached their town.
“Armed groups started firing in all directions, leaving us with no option but to run. We preferred to flee for our lives,” he said.
Another refugee, Amissi, a 30-year-old teacher, fled from Kamanyola, a town near the Burundian border.
He described harsh conditions after crossing the border, claiming that Burundian officials had locked them up in a stadium.
“We are not allowed to go out and get supplies, even if we have money. They haven’t given us anything to eat so far,” he said in a telephone interview.
Burundi Plans to Relocate Refugees for Safety
Burundian Interior Minister Martin Niteretse has announced that the government plans to relocate refugees to eastern Burundi to ensure their safety and well-being.
Additionally, he confirmed that the incoming refugees will be granted official refugee status.
Before this latest wave of displacement, Burundi was already hosting approximately 90,000 refugees, primarily from the DRC, who had fled previous outbreaks of violence in the conflict-ridden country.
Tensions Escalate as Congolese Soldiers Cross into Burundi
On Wednesday, witnesses and security sources reported that 500 Congolese soldiers and police officers arrived in Gatumba, a border town in Burundi.
According to a security source, these soldiers were disarmed and searched upon entry.
Their presence adds to growing fears that the conflict in the DRC could spill over into neighboring countries, dragging the region into further instability.
UN Warns of Regional War Risk
The United Nations has raised serious concerns about the potential for the conflict to ignite a regional war, reminiscent of the Second Congo War (1998-2003), which resulted in millions of deaths due to violence, disease, and starvation.
Bintou Keita, head of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), addressed the UN Security Council, stating that M23 rebels are approaching the junction of three borders—DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Meanwhile, Huang Xia, the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for the Great Lakes region, warned that the risk of regional escalation is more real than ever.
Since October 2023, Burundi has deployed over 10,000 troops to support the Congolese army in its fight against M23 and other armed groups.
However, late on Wednesday, military and official sources reported that some Burundian troops were withdrawing, although an army spokesperson denied any retreat.
A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
With the fighting intensifying and M23 forces continuing their advance, humanitarian agencies fear that the crisis will worsen further, with more refugees pouring into neighboring countries.
As the region grapples with rising tensions, the international community remains on high alert, watching closely for any further developments that could destabilize Central Africa.
