Burundi : Congolese refugees face movement restrictions during election period

SOS Médias Burundi

Ruyigi, June 7, 2025 — In the Bwagiriza, Nyankanda, and Kavumu refugee camps, located in the provinces of Ruyigi and Cankuzo in eastern Burundi, Congolese refugees are facing movement restrictions imposed by the camp administration during this election period.
These measures, officially justified by security concerns, force refugees to obtain authorization to leave the camps and travel to urban areas, particularly Bujumbura, the commercial capital, which greatly complicates their daily lives.

Jeanne, a refugee from Bwagiriza, says, “I was supposed to go to Bujumbura for urgent medical care, but the administration didn’t give me an exit permit. I’m still here in the camp, waiting for it to be delivered. It could put my health at risk.”

The same difficulty applies to Célestin, a refugee from the Nyankanda camp and trader : “I was supposed to go to Rumonge (southwest) to collect some goods I had left there, but I couldn’t get permission due to the election period.”

The elections in Burundi took place on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
But despite the end of voting, movement restrictions remain in effect, plunging refugees into a situation of uncertainty.
Many hope that Burundian authorities will quickly lift these measures to allow them to resume their normal life.