Ruyigi : Congolese refugees accuse Imbonerakure of violence, whippings, and extortion at the Busuma camp

SOS Médias Burundi

Ruyigi, April 13, 2026 — The situation of Congolese refugees living at the Busuma camp in eastern Burundi is raising new concerns following accusations of violence and intimidation. Refugees claim to have been subjected to whippings and extortion as they attempted to leave the camp to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo, amid tensions related to return movements and security management at the camp.

Six young refugees were reportedly severely whipped on Saturday, according to multiple sources, and then forcibly returned to the camp as they tried to leave to return to the DRC. According to the same sources, these young people had set out for Bujumbura, Burundi’s commercial capital, located just a few kilometers from the city of Uvira in South Kivu, eastern Congo, hoping to reach Uvira to prepare for the state exam, essay portion, scheduled for May.

Their attempt was reportedly stopped en route by members of the Imbonerakure, the youth league affiliated with the ruling party, the CNDD-FDD. The Imbonerakure are regularly cited in allegations of abuse against political opponents and civilians in several parts of the country.

Those involved were reportedly arrested and whipped before being taken back to the camp, where they showed visible signs of beatings.

Several refugees at the Busuma camp denounce repeated acts of violence, intimidation, and extortion. According to them, any attempt to leave the camp exposes them to punishment.

“We can’t leave the camp without being harassed. If the Imbonerakure find us on the way, they intimidate us : either we’re beaten, or they demand money. We’re whipped in front of everyone, regardless of our circumstances. Others are forced to pay fines to be released. Whether we’re sick or pregnant makes no difference. We live in fear as soon as we step outside the camp,” confides a refugee.

According to the same sources, in recent days, several refugees have been arrested while trying to leave the camp to return to the DRC, exacerbating the climate of tension and insecurity within the camp.

These incidents are occurring in a context marked by increasing attempts to return to Congo. Some refugees are choosing to return on their own, without waiting for official repatriation procedures.

An agent from the National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (ONPRA) at the site, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that abuses may occur, while also mentioning security concerns :

“It is true that some refugees are arrested or punished when they try to leave the site illegally. But it must also be noted that some behaviors are difficult to manage. Among them are people who belonged to armed groups in Congo. For this reason, their movements are closely monitored to ensure compliance with the laws of the host country.”

He specified that the Burundian and Congolese governments are currently in discussions to establish mechanisms for voluntary and safe return. However, some refugees prefer to leave without waiting for these official arrangements.

The Busuma site currently hosts more than 75,000 Congolese refugees, according to local estimates. Most fled the hostilities in South Kivu between December 2025 and January 2026, fighting that continues in some areas of this province bordering Burundi.

Regional context : a persistent security crisis in the Great Lakes region

This situation is unfolding within a particularly unstable regional context in the Great Lakes region, marked by ongoing fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), supported by Burundian troops and the Wazalendo militias, are battling M23 rebels, grouped within the Congo River Alliance (AFC/M23), who control several strategic areas in North and South Kivu.

The fighting has led to further mass displacement of people to neighboring countries, including Burundi, increasing the pressure on reception centers like Busuma.

Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the M23, while Rwanda denounces the alleged support of the DRC and Burundi for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Rwandan Hutu armed group involved in violence in the region and whose members are accused of participating in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.

According to a report by the UN Group of Experts, thousands of foreign fighters are involved in these conflicts, fueling a complex regional crisis despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Despite ceasefire agreements and recent diplomatic initiatives, clashes persist, confirming the fragility of peace processes in the region.

A camp under intense pressure

Meanwhile, the Busuma site remains the scene of a worrying humanitarian situation.