Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Edouard BIZIMANA, accompanied by Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Representatives of Regional and International Organizations accredited in Bujumbura, visited the Ndava hill at the Kansega transit site, located in Bukinanyana commune. The purpose of this visit was to provide moral support to the Congolese refugees residing there and to assess their priority needs for humanitarian assistance.
H.E. Ambassador Edouard BIZIMANA took the opportunity to express satisfaction with the commitments made by partners in favor of the refugees who are living in extremely precarious conditions, while emphasizing the need to further strengthen humanitarian support.
The Head of the Department of Human Rights, Social Protection, and Gender Inclusion, Mr. Saidi NKURUNZIZA, reminded that the Bukinanyana commune had made significant efforts to accommodate the Congolese refugees, despite very limited financial resources. He also indicated that these refugees should be transferred to the Busuma site to improve their living conditions.
It is worth noting that the Kansega site has already hosted over 40,000 refugees, of whom approximately 35,000 have been transferred to the Busuma site (Kayongozi), located in the Ruyigi commune, Buhumuza province.
Furthermore, the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Burundi, Mr. Willy MULAMBA MABIKA, addressed a message of comfort to the refugees and encouraged them to join the Busuma site, where humanitarian aid sent by His Excellency Mr. Félix TSHISEKEDI, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, awaits them.
On behalf of the delegation, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Dieudonné Datonou, expressed his deep gratitude to the Government of Burundi and its people for their hospitality and generosity. He also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation for organizing this visit, which allowed the delegation to observe the living conditions of the refugees and to reflect on ways to provide them with assistance. He reminded that these refugees are not alone, emphasizing the support from Burundian brothers in general, and the Catholic Church in particular, which will provide concrete aid starting in January 2026.
Moreover, the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Representatives of International Organizations accredited in Bujumbura reaffirmed their commitment to mobilize humanitarian aid to support these populations in distress.
As for the Congolese refugees, they expressed their deep gratitude to the Government of Burundi for the welcome and assistance they have received. They also shared their concerns and material needs, hoping for a gradual improvement in their living conditions.
The visit was concluded with remarks from His Excellency Ambassador Edouard BIZIMANA, who reaffirmed the commitment of the Burundian government to work closely with its partners to ensure ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement of the living conditions of the refugees.