Butanyerera: the shadow of a regional conflict revives fears in Kirundo

SOS Médias Burundi

Kirundo, May 20, 2026 — Unusual military movements, increased night patrols, and growing travel restrictions are fueling a climate of anxiety in Butanyerera province, northern Burundi. In this region bordering Rwanda, residents are reporting suspicious deployments of armed men and fear a deterioration of the security situation against a backdrop of persistent tensions between Burundi, Rwanda, and armed groups active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The silence of the authorities is fueling speculation and fear among the population.

An unusual military presence in Kirundo’s urban center

For nearly two months, residents of Kirundo’s urban center have been observing unusual military movements in several neighborhoods of the city starting at 5:00 p.m.

According to several eyewitness accounts gathered on site, these uniformed men regularly patrol in two columns, one along the right side of the road and the other the left. Residents say the soldiers move silently, without any visible interaction.

“They walk silently, staring straight ahead. This situation is causing a lot of concern among the population,” says a shopkeeper in the town center.

Unusual boots fueling speculation

Another detail is particularly catching the attention of residents : the type of footwear worn by several men participating in these patrols.

“Most of them are wearing plastic boots, which is not common among Burundian soldiers,” explains a resident who requested anonymity.

According to several local sources, these groups are partly composed of young people affiliated with the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party, including members of the Imbonerakure youth league. These individuals are participating in border security alongside the army and in night patrols organized in several villages and neighborhoods of Burundi with members of the Burundi National Police (PNB).

Tensions directly linked to the regional conflict

Other residents claim to have seen men speaking Kinyarwanda among these groups. According to local sources, these are fighters who recently returned from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to fight alongside Burundian forces engaged in military operations against the M23.

“Many people think there are military preparations against Rwanda,” confides a resident.

Residents and security sources also report a significant presence of heavily armed soldiers near the border between Burundi and Rwanda.

Restrictions on nighttime travel for motorcyclists

As part of increased security, motorcyclists are now prohibited from traveling after 8 p.m. in several localities in Kirundo, according to residents.

Some individuals affiliated with the Imbonerakure, however, continue to operate at night. Local sources indicate that these groups collaborate closely with the police during night patrols.

“It’s mainly some Imbonerakure who continue to work at night. They sometimes accompany the police and provide them with security information,” says a resident of Kirundo.

Local authorities have still not officially commented on these measures or on the exact role of these groups in security operations.

A population caught between fear and uncertainty

Faced with this situation, many residents live in fear of a potential deterioration of the security situation in this border region.

“We fear a war that could cause even more suffering for ordinary citizens,” explains a mother encountered at the central market.

Other residents express their concern about the human consequences of a potential regional conflict involving Burundi.

“If a war were to break out, it would once again be the Burundians who would pay the heaviest price,” believes a resident.

Persistent regional tensions

Burundi and Rwanda, two neighboring countries in the Great Lakes region with close historical, cultural, and linguistic ties, have maintained strained relations for several years, particularly since the 2015 Burundian crisis linked to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial third term.

Following the attempted coup in May 2015, several opposition figures and military personnel involved in the putsch, including General Godefroid Niyombare, who led the coup plotters, sought refuge in Rwanda. Burundian authorities regularly request their extradition so they can be tried in Burundian courts, while Kigali maintains that they have refugee status protected by the UNHCR.

Tensions escalated in January 2024 when Burundi closed its land border with Rwanda, accusing Kigali of supporting armed groups hostile to Gitega. Rwanda rejects these accusations.

Relations between the two countries also remain strained by the conflict in eastern DRC. Between August 2022 and December 2025, Burundi deployed several thousand soldiers to support the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the Wazalendo group against the M23. For its part, Kigali is accused by Kinshasa and several UN reports of supporting the M23, which Rwanda firmly denies.

The M23, a former predominantly Tutsi rebellion that resumed hostilities in late 2021, now controls several strategic areas in North and South Kivu, including some important mining towns. Despite several regional agreements and diplomatic initiatives, fighting continues in eastern Congo, causing further displacement of civilians.

Local and security sources also report a recent redeployment of Burundian soldiers to certain areas of South Kivu to combat various armed groups active in the Highlands.

The silence of the authorities fuels concerns

So far, no official statement from administrative, police, or military authorities has explained the unusual movements observed in Butanyerera province. This silence reinforces concerns and widespread speculation among the local population.

Despite regional agreements and international mediation efforts, tensions persist in the Great Lakes region. On the ground, the military movements observed in Kirundo are fueling the fears of a population already scarred by years of regional instability.