Burundi Moves to Stop Riverbank Activities Driving Land Loss Along Rwanda and DRC Borders

Bujumbura, August 5, 2026 - Authorities in Burundi’s Bujumbura Province have raised concerns over land erosion and shifting river channels along the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that human activities near the Rusizi and Ruhwa rivers are contributing to the loss of Burundian territory.

Bujumbura Province Governor Maj Gen Aloys Ndayikengurukiye raised the concern in a letter dated August 3 following a field assessment conducted from July 13 to 16 by a team responsible for identifying and monitoring the country’s borders. The team inspected areas along the Rusizi and Ruhwa rivers and found that activities carried out by residents near the waterways were contributing to soil being washed away into neighboring countries.

The governor attributed the problem to farming too close to riverbanks, mining for precious stones, brickmaking and failure to protect riverbanks from erosion. He warned that these activities are affecting the natural course of the rivers, with some sections becoming increasingly concentrated on the Burundian side while soil is washed away from the country.

Ndayikengurukiye also criticized local officials for failing to prevent the activities, alleging that some authorities have even issued permits for practices that damage the riverbanks. He called for stronger oversight to prevent environmental degradation from creating additional border concerns.

Following the inspection, a meeting bringing together security officials and local government authorities was held to discuss the situation and agree on corrective measures. Among the measures adopted was the planting of trees along the riverbanks and a ban on activities considered harmful to the waterways.

The authorities said protecting the riverbanks is necessary not only to curb environmental degradation and erosion but also to safeguard Burundi’s territorial boundaries along the Rusizi and Ruhwa rivers.