The Congo River Alliance / March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) has accused the Government of Burundi of blocking the voluntary return of hundreds of Congolese nationals following the closure of the border.
According to AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, the affected Congolese originate from Uvira, Sangé, Luvungi, Kamanyola, and surrounding areas and are eager to return home but have allegedly been prevented from doing so by Burundian authorities.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Kanyuka expressed regret that women, children, and men, motivated by the desire to reunite with their communities and rebuild their lives, are being denied what he described as their fundamental right to return home in safe, dignified, and voluntary conditions.
He further recalled that, for strictly humanitarian reasons, the AFC/M23 has previously facilitated the voluntary return of more than 1,000 Burundian nationals, citing a spirit of solidarity, responsibility, and respect for universal humanitarian principles.
“True to the principle of reciprocity, the AFC/M23 calls upon the Burundian authorities to authorize, without delay, the safe, voluntary, and supervised return of Congolese citizens wishing to return to their country, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the values of good neighbourliness,” Kanyuka said.
