Why Soldiers and Youth Are Fleeing Burundi in Large Numbers

Bujumbura, January 19, 2026 - Burundi, one of the world’s poorest countries, appears to have reached a breaking point, as growing numbers of soldiers and young people flee the country amid worsening economic hardship and political disillusionment.

Although President Évariste Ndayishimiye took office in June 2020 promising economic recovery, his administration has overseen a sharp deterioration in living conditions, with poverty levels now worse than during the last period of relative stability.

At the center of the crisis is an agreement with President Félix Tshisekedi to deploy Burundian troops to fight the AFC/M23 coalition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The deployment has resulted in soldier casualties, prolonged salary delays, and widespread demoralization within the armed forces.

As a result, many soldiers have deserted, fleeing to countries such as Zambia, Mozambique, and even parts of Asia. The government has responded with tightened border controls and has imprisoned immigration officials accused of issuing passports to deserters.

Meanwhile, Burundian youth are leaving the country in growing numbers, citing lack of employment opportunities, which many say are reserved for members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party. Numerous students have dropped out of school, believing that education offers little value without political affiliation.

In early 2025, school dropout rates reportedly reached 70% in some regions. In the former Kayanza province, more than 4,500 students left school in just three months during the 2024-2025 academic year.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of Burundian refugees in Rwanda increased by 1,721 between 2024 and 2025. As of December 31, 2025, Rwanda was hosting 52,961 Burundian refugees, representing 38.5% of the total refugee population in the country.

Across cities such as Kigali, Kampala, and Nairobi, Burundian youth are now working as street vendors and small traders, sending remittances home that often exceed the salaries of government employees in Burundi.

One young Burundian vendor in Nairobi said he earns about 3,000 Kenyan shillings per month, equivalent to more than 150,000 Burundian francs (Fbu), which he sends to his family. “It is small, but it helps them survive,” he said.

Despite the exodus of soldiers and youth, President Ndayishimiye continues to publicly claim that no country is as rich or blessed as Burundi - a statement many critics see as evidence of the regime’s disconnect from the daily struggles of its citizens.

The growing flight of human capital, observers warn, threatens to further undermine Burundi’s social stability and economic future.