In recent weeks, the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has intensified, prompting many citizens, especially young men, to take perilous risks to avoid being conscripted by the M23 rebels. Heavy fighting has led to mass displacements, with some choosing to swim across the dangerous Rusizi river to reach safety in Burundi. As tensions rise, the plight of refugees and their desperate attempts to flee continue to provide harrowing accounts of survival.
Desperate Measures: Fleeing Conscription on the Congo-Burundi Border
Desperate Measures: Fleeing Conscription on the Congo-Burundi Border
In the face of advancing rebel forces, Congolese citizens are risking their lives to escape mandatory military service.
Jordan Bita is a 25-year-old citizen who, in a bid to escape the clutches of M23 rebels, chose to swim across the treacherous Rusizi river—the very natural boundary between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. He recalls gripping a black garbage bag filled with essential belongings while navigating the powerful currents to evade the very forces that seek to conscript him. “I managed to flee safely… because I was crossing through the forest and moving along the bushes instead of the main road,” Bita explained to the BBC, highlighting the constant threat posed by M23 fighters who demand forced enlistment in their ranks.
Burundian military forces are stationed along the riverbank to monitor the flow of refugees, which has surged dramatically as around 70,000 people have crossed into Burundi in the past month alone. This influx has been triggered by the recent seizure of key cities like Goma and Bukavu by the M23 rebels—militant forces believed to have backing from neighboring Rwanda—driving many to escape their homes and livelihoods for safety.
As Bita climbed the bank onto Burundian soil, he recounted the scrutiny faced during the crossing, with troops carefully inspecting cargo to ensure no weapons are smuggled through. As families that flee continue to make dangerous attempts to transport both their belongings and food for loved ones back in the camps, the sadness of loss is palpable. Clarice Kacindi, who lost her three-year-old child in the river's turbulent waters just ten days prior, emotionally conveyed her devastation, "M23 are making our lives very difficult... They've stolen everything we left behind."
The stark conditions in temporary refugee camps, such as those in the town of Rugombo, have placed immense strain on displaced families. Tents provide scant shelter for dozens sharing spaces meant for fewer, and rations leave many surviving on just a single meal a day as they await better outcomes.
As the situation evolves, so too does the approach taken by Burundian authorities. Reports indicate that men are being barred from crossing into Burundi as they are ordered to remain in Uvira—a city now under threat from the M23 militants—urged to defend it from potential takeover. This has created dire circumstances for families where men must remain behind, often resulting in the abandonment of those most vulnerable amidst the turmoil.
Veterans of conflict understand the gravity of the situation. “I have fled to Burundi so many times.... There've been times where I almost drowned while fleeing conflict," said 87-year-old Magega Mwarui, whose experiences reflect the enduring cycle of violence and displacement in the region. Meanwhile, victims like Charlotte Odile, who fled with her four children after losing her husband to rebel violence, continue to search for solace and safety.
As the international community observes, the refugee crisis spurred by these ongoing clashes is significant—making it one of the largest influxes of asylum seekers seen in Burundi in over two decades. UN officials have called for support to assist the small nation in managing incoming refugees and mitigating tensions between displaced persons and local residents.
The future remains uncertain for many fleeing from the suffocating grips of warfare. With rising numbers and fears of further aggression along the Congo-Burundi border, it is crucial to find viable ways to ensure the safety and dignity of those escaping the chaos of conflict.
Burundian military forces are stationed along the riverbank to monitor the flow of refugees, which has surged dramatically as around 70,000 people have crossed into Burundi in the past month alone. This influx has been triggered by the recent seizure of key cities like Goma and Bukavu by the M23 rebels—militant forces believed to have backing from neighboring Rwanda—driving many to escape their homes and livelihoods for safety.
As Bita climbed the bank onto Burundian soil, he recounted the scrutiny faced during the crossing, with troops carefully inspecting cargo to ensure no weapons are smuggled through. As families that flee continue to make dangerous attempts to transport both their belongings and food for loved ones back in the camps, the sadness of loss is palpable. Clarice Kacindi, who lost her three-year-old child in the river's turbulent waters just ten days prior, emotionally conveyed her devastation, "M23 are making our lives very difficult... They've stolen everything we left behind."
The stark conditions in temporary refugee camps, such as those in the town of Rugombo, have placed immense strain on displaced families. Tents provide scant shelter for dozens sharing spaces meant for fewer, and rations leave many surviving on just a single meal a day as they await better outcomes.
As the situation evolves, so too does the approach taken by Burundian authorities. Reports indicate that men are being barred from crossing into Burundi as they are ordered to remain in Uvira—a city now under threat from the M23 militants—urged to defend it from potential takeover. This has created dire circumstances for families where men must remain behind, often resulting in the abandonment of those most vulnerable amidst the turmoil.
Veterans of conflict understand the gravity of the situation. “I have fled to Burundi so many times.... There've been times where I almost drowned while fleeing conflict," said 87-year-old Magega Mwarui, whose experiences reflect the enduring cycle of violence and displacement in the region. Meanwhile, victims like Charlotte Odile, who fled with her four children after losing her husband to rebel violence, continue to search for solace and safety.
As the international community observes, the refugee crisis spurred by these ongoing clashes is significant—making it one of the largest influxes of asylum seekers seen in Burundi in over two decades. UN officials have called for support to assist the small nation in managing incoming refugees and mitigating tensions between displaced persons and local residents.
The future remains uncertain for many fleeing from the suffocating grips of warfare. With rising numbers and fears of further aggression along the Congo-Burundi border, it is crucial to find viable ways to ensure the safety and dignity of those escaping the chaos of conflict.
