Burundi: Congolese Refugees Seeking to Return Home ‘Beaten and Killed’

The AFC/M23 alliance, which opposes the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has accused Burundian security forces of beating and killing Congolese refugees who are attempting to return home from Burundi.

According to the group, refugees who fled violence in eastern DRC and are now living in Burundi face violence, intimidation, and severe humanitarian conditions, especially when they try to leave refugee camps to return to Congo.

Burundi Struggles to Cope With Refugee Influx

The Burundian government has recently acknowledged that it is overwhelmed by the growing number of Congolese refugees, particularly those arriving from Uvira, Katogota, Sange, Kiliba, Luvungi, and Kamanyola.

Authorities in Bujumbura have appealed to international donors for $33 million in emergency assistance, citing limited capacity to provide food, shelter, and healthcare to the displaced population.

Refugees Describe Harsh Living Conditions

Congolese refugees say living conditions in Burundi are increasingly difficult, marked by food shortages and rising prices.

One refugee, Ajax Ramadhani, told the BBC that basic goods have become unaffordable.
“Flour prices have increased. Two doughnuts used to cost 500 Burundian francs, now one costs 500. We did not come here by choice. We came because of insecurity. People think Congolese refugees have money. Where would a refugee get money?” he said.

Deaths Reported in Gatumba Camp

At the Gatumba temporary refugee camp, near the DRC border, refugees are reportedly dying from hunger and cholera, a disease linked to poor sanitation.

Uvira Deputy Mayor Kifara Kapenda told Radio Okapi that at least 40 people died within ten days due to cholera and starvation.
“Eight people died on December 18 alone, and five the day before,” he said.

Claims of Abuse Against Returnees

On December 20, AFC/M23 said it had facilitated the return of more than 1,000 Burundians who had been living in eastern DRC. However, the group claims that Burundi is refusing to open its borders to allow Congolese refugees to return home.

AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said several refugees have tried multiple times to cross back into Congo but were turned away. He added that Burundian authorities plan to relocate refugees to camps far from the border.

Allegations of Beatings and Killings

On December 21, Bertrand Bisimwa, AFC/M23’s deputy coordinator in charge of political affairs and diplomacy, said the group had received numerous testimonies alleging violent abuse by Burundian soldiers at the Gatumba camp.

“We are receiving many testimonies from Congolese refugees in Gatumba camp who say they are being beaten and sometimes killed for attempting to return to DRC. Burundian soldiers are reportedly responsible,” Bisimwa said.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bisimwa shared an audio recording of a distressed woman speaking in Swahili. She described refugees being beaten with sticks, forced back into the camp, arrested, and in some cases killed.

“We try to board vehicles to go home, but we are beaten and forced back. Some people have died. Others have been arrested. Please speak for us so we can return to Congo,” the woman pleaded.

UNHCR Confirms Refugee Numbers

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that between December 5 and December 21, 2025, Burundi received 94,808 Congolese refugees, who entered mainly through Buganda, Gatumba, and Rumonge.

The humanitarian situation remains critical as regional actors and international agencies face growing pressure to ensure the protection, dignity, and safety of refugees.