Hundreds of Congolese Refugees Return Home from Burundi in Voluntary Repatriation Effort

Hundreds of Congolese refugees have begun returning home from Burundi in a voluntary repatriation effort organised by the UNHCR, marking a significant moment for families displaced by ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The refugees, who had been living at the Busuma camp in Burundi’s Buhumuza province, packed their belongings early Thursday morning and boarded buses for the journey back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For many, the return represents hope after months of hardship. Refugees cited difficult living conditions at the camp, including limited access to food, water, and healthcare, as key reasons for choosing to go back.

Most of those returning had fled from areas such as Uvira following the advance of M23 rebels, which intensified violence in the region late last year.

Despite the optimism among returnees, officials have stressed that the process remains strictly voluntary and carefully managed. According to UNHCR representatives, only refugees heading to relatively secure areas are being cleared to return.

Authorities say the security situation in parts of eastern Congo remains unstable, meaning not all refugees are eligible for repatriation at this stage.

Burundi, led by Evariste Ndayishimiye, currently hosts around 100,000 Congolese refugees, with Busuma being the largest camp in the country.

The wider crisis remains severe, with more than eight million people displaced within the DRC due to ongoing clashes between government forces and armed groups.

Across the continent, over one million Congolese refugees are being hosted in neighbouring countries, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian challenge.

While the latest returns offer a moment of relief for some families, aid organisations warn that long-term stability will depend on improved security and sustained investment in rebuilding affected communities.