Testimony Alleging Abuse of Congolese Refugees in Busuma Refugee Camp, Burundi
Minembwe Capital News has received testimony from a Congolese refugee who fled to Busuma Refugee Camp in Burundi, alleging that refugees are facing serious problems including abuse, mistreatment, and denial of the right to voluntarily return to their home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The witness, who also identifies as a refugee living in the same camp, accuses some members of the youth affiliated with the Burundian authorities known as the Imbonerakure, as well as Burundian police officers, of treating refugees “like commodities” and extorting money from them in exchange for permission to return to their country of origin.
According to the testimony, any refugee wishing to return to the DRC is required to pay approximately 150,000 Burundian francs.
The witness further claims that even those who manage to pay this amount are still tracked after leaving the camp. Upon attempting to return to the DRC, they are allegedly intercepted along the way, beaten by Imbonerakure members and police officers, and forcibly returned to the camp.
The witness stated:
“Congolese refugees in Burundi have been turned into commodities. What we are experiencing is not brotherhood. People die every day, and those who attempt to return are stopped and beaten.”
Additional testimonies indicate that even students in their final year of secondary school who attempted to return to Uvira to continue their studies were reportedly followed, arrested, beaten, and required to pay money before being sent back to the camp.
These allegations are said to be causing fear and psychological distress among refugees, discouraging many from attempting to return home or even leave the camp.
The Congolese refugees in question fled to Burundi in late last year during intense fighting in the Rusizi Plain and parts of Uvira in eastern DRC.
At that time, clashes were reported between the AFC/M23 coalition and the Congolese government forces (FARDC), reportedly supported by Burundian forces, the Wazalendo militias, and the FDLR, leading to large-scale displacement of civilians.
Many of those displaced sought safety in Burundi, but they now say that life in Busuma Camp is far from what they expected.
These testimonies raise serious concerns regarding refugee rights, particularly freedom of movement, the right to voluntary repatriation, and protection from abuse.
The witnesses are calling on international organizations, especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to intervene, conduct an investigation, and ensure the protection of refugees.
In conclusion, the refugees say they deeply wish to return to their country in peace but are asking for assistance to escape what they describe as ongoing hardships in the camp.
They are calling for:
An investigation into the alleged abuses
Full respect for refugees’ right to voluntary repatriation
Protection of their rights in accordance with international law.