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News December 17, 2025

Congolese refugees in Burundi: maximum humanitarian alert

Bujumbura, 16 December 2025 – The President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Ambassador Dr. Ezekiel Nibigira, held a press conference in the Burundian capital to launch an urgent appeal for regional and international solidarity. This appeal follows the rapid deterioration of the ..

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Bujumbura, 16 December 2025 - The Chairman of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Ambassador Dr. Ezekiel Nibigira, held a press conference in the Burundian capital to launch an urgent appeal for regional and international solidarity. This appeal follows the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation of Congolese refugees in Burundi.

A shocking field visit

The day before, on Monday 15 December, the regional official visited the reception sites in Gatumba and Buganda. These sites host thousands of people fleeing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially around Uvira, where the Congolese Armed Forces oppose the AFC/M23 rebels.

Constantly rising figures

Local authorities report about 25,000 refugees in Gatumba and nearly 40,000 in Buganda, figures that rise daily. The majority of these displaced persons are women and children, forced to live in extremely precarious conditions.

Lack of everything, major health risk

On the spot, the Chairman of the ECCAS Commission noted acute shortages of food, shelter, drinking water, sanitation and basic health services. There is insufficient logistical capacity to transfer refugees to better equipped camps. Promiscuity and overcrowding expose populations to serious risk of epidemics.
A crisis with regional consequences

The Chairman of the ECCAS Commission warned that inaction or too weak a humanitarian response could have serious and lasting consequences. These consequences threaten not only refugees, but also the social and security stability of Burundian host communities.

Tribute to Burundi and partners

Ambassador Dr. Nibigira welcomed the efforts of the Government of Burundi to host refugees, as well as the commitment of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian actors on the ground.
An urgent call for solidarity

In response to the worsening crisis, a solemn appeal was made to ECCAS member States, the African Union and the international community as a whole. Immediate, coordinated and strengthened mobilization of financial, material and logistical resources is called for.

ECCAS ready to take action

The ECCAS Commission reaffirms its conviction that a collective and supportive response, in close coordination with the Government of Burundi and humanitarian partners, is essential to address this major emergency.