Pierre Nkurikiye, the Spokesperson for Burundi’s Ministry of Interior and Public Security, confirmed that hundreds of Congolese military and police officers, who had fled the ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have returned to their home country. It remains unclear whether these individuals were deported or voluntarily returned.
“To date, we have registered 49,670 asylum seekers in Burundi,” Nkurikiye told public broadcaster RTNB earlier on Tuesday. “They crossed into Burundi through three provinces: Cibitoke, where the largest group of approximately 42,123 people passed through the Buganda and Rugombo communes. These individuals were temporarily housed at the Rugombo stadium. Others crossed through the official Gatumba border and Vugizo, totaling 6,311 at the Gihanga transit center. Another 165 people were registered in Makombe, and 743 in Kaburantwa in Rumonge province.”
The total number of refugees received in Burundi now stands at 49,670. Upon arrival, an immediate identification process takes place, during which military and police officers were among those identified. In Cibitoke province, 612 police officers and 28 military personnel were identified. These individuals, all in uniform, returned to the DRC, where they were received by the vice-governor of South Kivu, according to the government official.
Nkurikiye added that while there is a small movement of returnees — with about a hundred people returning daily — the majority of the refugees remain in transit. The refugees are being relocated further from the border to camps such as Rutana, with more than a thousand individuals being transported daily. The spokesperson expects the current transit center to be empty within three days. If Rutana reaches capacity, another site in Mwaro will be used.
“Yesterday, we received 200 asylum seekers, compared to the thousands we have received on other days,” Nkurikiye said, adding that “during police searches conducted last weekend, around 1,300 foreigners were found in irregular situations in hotels, guesthouses, and private homes.” Reports indicate that those found in irregular situations were returned to their home countries.
Meanwhile, Kefa Nibizi, chairperson of the opposition party CODEBU Iragi rya Ndadaye, expressed concern over the instability in the DRC and the potential risks it could pose. He urged Burundians to remain united in the face of regional challenges and called on the government to combat divisive rhetoric and actions. He emphasized the need for dialogue and collaboration with political parties, civil society organizations, and religious groups to develop solutions that would help maintain national unity.
“In our region, where ethnic divisions are prevalent, there is significant instability, especially within CODEBU,” Kefa said during an interview with local broadcaster Bonesha FM. “We urge Burundians to stay united and address both internal and regional issues in line with the principles of Burundian unity. We also call on the country’s leaders to focus on dialogue and to combat rhetoric and actions that promote division.”
On Monday, a Burundian army spokesperson addressed rumors circulating on social media, including claims that Burundian territories, such as Kirundo and Bujumbura’s airport, had been infiltrated. He dismissed these as baseless and aimed at causing unnecessary panic. “If the airport were taken over, how would planes still be landing? And who would have taken it over?” he questioned, urging citizens to focus on their daily activities without fear.
According to the British news agency Reuters, some 7,000 people have died since January due to the ongoing fighting in eastern DRC. This figure was confirmed by DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa during a high-level meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.
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