DRC and Burundi launch talks to repatriate Congolese refugees displaced by Uvira

Kalemie, April 4, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi have begun discussions aimed at facilitating the voluntary return of Congolese refugees displaced by last year’s fighting in Uvira, South Kivu Province. The talks, which also include the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), are taking place in Kalemie, Tanganyika Province, according to South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi. Authorities estimate that the December 2025 clashes in and around Uvira and nearby areas displaced large populations internally, while hundreds of thousands sought refuge in Burundi and Tanzania. The discussions are expected to define procedures and timelines for repatriation of refugees currently hosted in Burundi and Tanzania. Officials in Kinshasa say the initiative is part of broader efforts to stabilize return areas and coordinate humanitarian assistance for displaced populations. The situation in Uvira remains sensitive following months of conflict involving armed groups and government forces, which led to large-scale population movements across the region.