The President of the M23 movement and Deputy Coordinator of the AFC/M23, Bertrand Bisimwa, has accused Burundian security forces of carrying out violent repression against Congolese refugees at the Gatumba camp, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a statement published on social media, Bisimwa said his office had received “numerous testimonies” from Congolese refugees describing acts of violence, including beatings and alleged killings. According to these accounts, the victims are refugees said to be considering a return to the DRC. Bisimwa alleged that officers o

The President of the M23 movement and Deputy Coordinator of the AFC/M23, Bertrand Bisimwa, has accused Burundian security forces of carrying out violent repression against Congolese refugees at the Gatumba camp, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a statement published on

social media, Bisimwa

said his office had received

“numerous testimonies”

from Congolese refugees describing acts of violence, including beatings and alleged killings. According to these accounts, the victims are refugees said to be considering a return to the DRC. Bisimwa alleged that officers of the Forces de Défense Nationale du Burundi were cited by witnesses as being responsible for the abuses. He claimed the violence was aimed at intimidating or repressing those perceived as candidates for repatriation. The Gatumba refugee camp is located in the Rusizi Delta area, just a few kilometres from the DRC border. It hosts thousands of Congolese refugees who fled recurring cycles of violence in eastern Congo, particularly from South Kivu.

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There has been no immediate response from Burundian authorities to the allegations. Humanitarian agencies operating in the area have also not publicly commented, and the claims have not been independently verified. International law guarantees refugees the right to voluntary, safe and dignified return to their country of origin. Any use of force or coercion against refugees based on their perceived intentions would represent a serious violation of these protections. Human rights observers say the accusations underline the vulnerability of displaced populations in the Great Lakes region, where refugee camps often sit at the intersection of security concerns, regional politics and unresolved conflicts. As pressure mounts for clarification, rights groups are calling for an independent investigation to establish the facts, ensure the protection of refugees at Gatumba, and hold accountable anyone found responsible for abuses. The situation is being closely monitored amid fears that further instability could worsen the already fragile humanitarian landscape between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Bertrand Bisimwa Raises Alarm Over Alleged Violence Against Congolese Refugees at Gatumba Camp in Burundi

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