In Bujumbura, Burundi thousands of Congolese refugees have refused to be relocated to a new camp over 200 kilometers away citing concerns over isolation and deteriorating living conditions.
As the crisis escalates, the voices of the displaced ring louder than ever: “Being confined in a camp is like being amputated.”
These are no faceless masses. Over 100,000 men, women and children who fled the after-effects of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) currently sheltering in temporary camps near the boarder.
For many, the hope of safety has slowly turned into a nightmare of uncertainty and suffering.
Authorities in Burundi following the International rules in managing refugees recently announced plans to relocate them to a permanent camp south of Burundi way from the recent site.
Officials claim the move is necessary to decongest the existing camps and provide better services. However, for the refugees, this explanation feels hollow.
“We have already lost our homes, our livelihoods and our dignity. Now they want to take away our community too,” says Marie Mbula, a mother of four. “We are not objects to be moved at will.”
The relocation order came earlier this year, but tensions reached a boiling point in recent weeks as the deadline approached.
The refugees have staged peaceful protests pleading with humanitarian organizations to intervene and halt the move.
The proposed site, located in a remote region over 200 kilometers away is reported to have inadequate infrastructure and limited access to healthcare and educational facilities.
“They say it’s for our own good, but how can that be true when they are sending us to a place worse than where we are?” asks Jean-Paul Mukasa, a community leader.
The resistance stems from more than just logistical grievances. For many, the forced relocation symbolizes another chapter in a long history of marginalization and neglect.
Refugees have expressed fears that being isolated in remote areas will cut them off from crucial support networks.
“Being confined in a camp is like being amputated,” one refugee emotionally remarked. “They are cutting us off from the world, from opportunities, from hope.”
While humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the conditions at the proposed site, substantial action remains elusive.
Burundi’s government insists the relocation is non-negotiable further deepening the divide.
“A refusal to transfer means repatriation back into warring DRC.”
As the crisis continues to unfold, one thing is clear, relocation without dignity is no solution. Human rights activists argue that the voices of refugees must be at the center of any humanitarian response.
“These people have suffered enough. We call on the international community to stand with the refugees not against them. Listen to their voices. Respect their humanity.”
In a world where displacement is becoming all too common, the situation in Burundi serves as a stark reminder that refugees need more than just a place to stay, they need a place where they can rebuild their lives with dignity, hope and a sense of belonging.
