Burundi Grants Congolese Refugees Greater Freedom of Movement
Ngozi, 25 June 2026
Despite facing severe six-month water shortages, Congolese refugees in Burundi’s Musasa camp have gained expanded freedom of movement, significantly easing local travel and trade.
Relaxed Regulations Offer Local Economic Relief
The administrative shift, announced on 20 June 2026 by Gédéon Ntahokaja, the representative of the Office national de protection des réfugiés et des apatrides (ONPRA) for northern camps, represents a major regulatory change dictated by the central office in Bujumbura [2]. Under the new guidelines, which became active for camp residents by 24 June 2026, Congolese refugees residing in the Musasa camp can move freely within the camp and register for travel throughout the Kiremba commune [2]. Similarly, those living in the Kinama camp, located in Butanyerera province, are now permitted to circulate freely within the former Gasorwe commune (reformed in June 2025) and register for travel across the expanded Muyinga commune [2].
Severe Resource Scarcity Shadows Policy Progress
However, the expanded freedom of movement does little to alleviate the deep-seated material deficiencies within the settlements. In the Musasa camp, the joy of increased mobility is overshadowed by a severe drinking water shortage that has persisted for more than six months [1][3]. This lack of access to clean water severely impacts daily survival, forcing families to balance their newfound physical freedom against the gruelling daily struggle to secure basic hydration [1].
Geopolitical Pressures and Repatriation Dynamics
Beyond immediate resource scarcity, Congolese refugees in Burundi are caught in a complex geopolitical web, facing parallel pressures to return to the DRC despite ongoing security concerns in their home regions [1][3]. While some populations are being pushed toward repatriation, others are actively demanding it [3]. On 15 June 2026, thousands of Congolese refugees at the Musenyi site in Burunga province, southern Burundi, staged demonstrations to demand immediate repatriation to the DRC [3], following a previous organised voluntary repatriation effort on 23 April 2026 [3].