South Kivu : Burundian soldiers prevent Banyamulenge from accessing the market in Bijombo

SOS Médias Burundi

Bukavu, October 20, 2025 — Tensions are rising in the highlands of South Kivu. Last weekend, several residents of Minembwe, mainly from the Banyamulenge community, were turned back by Burundian soldiers while they were on their way to the market in Bijombo, in the groupment of the same name, Fizi territory.

According to consistent accounts, Burundian soldiers stationed in Mikalati intercepted several groups—women, men, and youth—who were trying to reach the market to buy basic necessities such as salt, sugar, and soap.

“We were going to the market to buy salt, sugar, soap, and other products. But the Burundian soldiers stationed in Mikalati prevented us from going there. “They want us to die without salt, sugar, or oil,” says Espérance, a Minembwe trader who was turned away last weekend.

A critical humanitarian situation

The Bijombo market is one of the few supply points still accessible to the residents of Minembwe. Since last February, the Mulima market—another vital trading center—has been closed by the Wazalendo, who had threatened to kill anyone caught supplying the Banyamulenge.

This closure had already forced several families to travel long distances, sometimes several days, to get supplies in Bijombo. Now, even this option is blocked.

“On the way, the Burundian soldiers stopped us. We call on the international community to condemn the cruelty inflicted by the Burundian government on the Banyamulenge of Minembwe and Mikenge. How can we live without salt and soap?”, laments Eric M., another resident.

Increased military presence

For several months, the presence of the Burundian army in South Kivu has been intensifying. Troops have been deployed in strategic locations.

In September, community leaders and human rights defenders in Minembwe had already warned of the Burundian army’s alleged intentions to attack the Banyamulenge populations of Minembwe and Mikenge.

In February, Burundian forces had already established themselves in these areas before being pushed back by fighters from Twirwaneho, an armed group composed of members of the Banyamulenge community.

Controversial regional alliances

According to local sources, the Burundian army regularly seeks to regain ground in the highlands, sometimes in coordination with the FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC), the Wazalendo militias, and certain elements of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda).

FDNB rejects accusations of ill-treatment

A spokesperson for the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB) was not available to respond to these allegations.
However, in most cases, Burundian authorities have denied accusations that the Burundian army and members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party, who sometimes accompany them to the DRC, mistreat the Banyamulenge.

The FDNB has deployed at least 10,000 soldiers to eastern DRC to fight alongside the FARDC, the Congolese loyalist army, and Wazalendo militias backed by Kinshasa, in the war against the M23 and its allies, including Twirwaneho.

Calls for international intervention

As the situation worsens, calls for an international response are growing. Several voices denounce a “humanitarian blockade” targeting the Banyamulenge, already weakened by years of conflict.

Access to food, healthcare, and basic necessities is becoming increasingly difficult in the highlands. Residents of Minembwe now fear an imminent humanitarian crisis if the blockade of Bijombo continues.

The M23, a former Tutsi rebel group that took up arms again at the end of 2021, accuses the Congolese authorities of failing to honor their reintegration commitments. Since the beginning of the year, its rebels, now affiliated with the Congo River Alliance (AFC), have controlled several strategic mineral-rich locations in the two Kivus, as well as the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu.
The Congolese authorities accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Kigali formally denies.