The Burundian government has officially announced the arrival of approximately 10,000 people fleeing the ongoing fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to a statement issued on Monday by Martin Niteretse, Minister of Interior, Security, and Development, the asylum seekers are gathering in the western provinces of Bubanza and Cibitoke, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) coordinating relief efforts.
“Burundi has already received approximately ten thousand people fleeing from the eastern part of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Those fleeing cross over through the official Gatumba border or cross the Rusizi River in certain areas of Bubanza and Cibitoke provinces in Burundi,” Niteretse said in a statement.
Niteretse also said that emergency assistance is being provided in the affected provinces in collaboration with UNHCR. “Since this is an unprecedented situation, Burundi is working closely with the UNHCR to address the challenges arising in the reception of these fleeing neighbors and to provide concrete solutions,” he said.
In a post on social media, UNHCR Burundi has confirmed the numbers, saying “people are arriving exhausted, traumatized by the fighting,” adding that its teams at border points are helping to receive and assist them.
To manage the influx, Niteretse revealed that an ongoing operation aims to separate potential military personnel from civilians while identifying vulnerable individuals, including children and the sick, to ensure they receive the necessary assistance.
The statement follows reports circulating on social media alleging mass arrests of Congolese nationals, including members of the Banyamulenge community, across Burundi. Some have linked these arrests to the rising tensions in eastern DRC.
Niteretse clarified that the arrests were part of routine immigration operations targeting undocumented individuals from various countries, not specifically aimed at any ethnic group. He disclosed that around 80 undocumented foreigners were arrested, including Ugandans, Kenyans, and others.
“No one should be alarmed, thinking that Banyamulenge are being specifically targeted. No. Our stance is clear – any foreigner on Burundian soil must comply with the law,” Niteretse told journalists at a press conference.
The minister explained that the undocumented migrants were immediately expelled from Burundi, in line with the country’s immigration policies. “We transported them out of the country. That’s the procedure. If you are in the country without meeting legal requirements, you are not detained unless you have committed another crime. You are simply asked to return to your home country, obtain the necessary papers, and come back legally,” he explained.
Addressing allegations of ethnic discrimination, Niteretse emphasized that all undocumented individuals – regardless of ethnic background – were affected by the operation. “Among those found without proper legal documents to stay in Burundi, there might have been one or two Banyamulenge, but there were also individuals from other Congolese ethnic groups, given the country’s diversity. We are not looking for Banyamulenge because we already live peacefully with them. Here in Burundi, Banyamulenge have no problem,” he said.
Niteretse criticized those promoting ethnic-based narratives, saying, “Some people are trying to push an ethnic agenda, but we are not falling into that trap. That is not our focus.”
Those people are fleeing to Burundi due to escalating tensions in eastern DRC, where clashes between the Congolese government forces and M23 rebels – allegedly backed by Rwanda – continue to intensify.
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