Zambia : a “wave” of Burundian refugees raises concerns, Lusaka warns of potential abuses

SOS Médias Burundi

Lusaka, March 25, 2026 — Zambia is facing a rapid increase in the number of Burundian asylum seekers, now estimated at over 15,000. This figure has almost doubled in the space of a year, according to Zambian authorities.

Interior Minister Jack Mwiimbu indicated that Burundians now constitute the largest group among the new arrivals, surpassing those from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking Monday at a regional conference on comprehensive solutions for refugees, he specified that the majority of the new arrivals are young men between the ages of 12 and 35. A trend deemed worrying by the authorities, who have launched investigations to better understand these migratory flows and their implications for national security and public order.

According to initial findings, some movements are being facilitated by refugees already settled in Zambia. This situation is fueling concerns, particularly regarding child labor among unaccompanied minors. A significant number of these asylum seekers also transit through neighboring countries, primarily Tanzania.

Zambian immigration services specify that these refugees arrive through both legal and clandestine channels, with some seeking a new status in this third host country.

“Before June 2025, the total number of Burundian refugees was estimated at around 8,000. Today, it exceeds 15,000,” emphasized Jack Mwiimbu.

These asylum seekers are mainly hosted in the camps of Meheba, Mayukwayukwa, and Mantapala.

The minister reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to maintaining its asylum policy, in place since 1972, while calling for strengthened regional cooperation to address the challenges of population displacement. He emphasized that voluntary repatriation remains the most sustainable solution.

This surge in arrivals comes amid the launch last January of a controversial program to repatriate Burundian refugees from Tanzania. Since then, thousands have fled to other countries in the region, including Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia.