Crisis of Refugees: Congolese Escape M23 Violence to Burundi

According to Interior Minister Martin Niteretse, the Burundian administration has recorded approximately 10,000 Congolese refugees on its territory since the end of last week. He said that “Burundi has already welcomed approximately ten thousand people fleeing from the neighbouring DRC.”

According to the same ministry, these refugees are either sneaking across the Rusizi River or crossing the formal Gatumba border. They are currently congregated in transit locations, such as Gihanga, which is in the western province of Bubanza.

Overcrowding is a major problem, and the conditions are really bad. Although they have been given mattresses to sleep on, many of them claim to be hungry.

The Burundian administration has expressed worry about the situation and promised to cooperate with its allies to find a solution.

Niteretse continued, “Since this is an unforeseen situation, Burundi is collaborating with the UNHCR to ensure that the challenges arising from hosting these fleeing neighbours are addressed appropriately.

Since the M23’s attack on several towns and regions in South Kivu province, Burundi, which borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has become a haven for thousands fleeing Congolese.

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