Escaping War: The Struggles of Those Fleeing Conflict in DR Congo
In the face of escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thousands of people are making desperate attempts to escape. Many, like 25-year-old Jordan Bita, have taken extreme risks to flee conscription by the M23 rebels, who have been advancing rapidly across the region.
Jordan’s escape was harrowing. To avoid being forced into the rebel ranks, he trekked through the bush, avoiding main roads, before reaching the treacherous Rusizi River. With only a black bin bag containing his belongings, he braved the river’s strong currents to cross into Burundi. “I had to take this risk,” he said. “The rebels are everywhere, forcing people to fight.”
Burundian troops stationed along the border closely monitor the influx of refugees. Nearly 70,000 people have arrived in Burundi in just one month as M23 fighters, backed by Rwanda, capture key cities like Goma and Bukavu. Men, in particular, face difficulty leaving, as officials in the Congolese city of Uvira are preventing them from crossing to ensure they stay and defend the city.
The Deadly Rusizi River Crossing
For many, the Rusizi River is the only escape route—but it comes with deadly risks. At least 20 people have drowned in the last two weeks alone while attempting to swim the 300-meter-wide river. Others, like Clarice Kacindi, have suffered heartbreaking losses. She lost her three-year-old child when the raft carrying them broke apart mid-river. “They must stop this war,” she pleaded. “Even if I return home, I have nothing left.”
Life in Burundi’s Refugee Camps
Once across the border, refugees face another set of challenges. At Rugombo’s football stadium, now a makeshift refugee camp, hundreds of white tents shelter new arrivals. But conditions are tough—up to 25 people share a single tent, and food rations allow for just one meal a day.
Eighty-seven-year-old Magega Mwarui, blind and frail, has fled to Burundi many times in her lifetime. “Since I was young, I have crossed this river carrying the little I had left,” she recalled. For many refugees like Magega, war is an ongoing cycle of loss and escape.
Regional Tensions and a Growing Crisis
Burundi, which has deployed over 10,000 troops in DRC to help fight the M23 rebels, is also feeling the impact of the crisis. Officials worry that if the rebels take control of South Kivu, they will strengthen Burundian rebel groups operating in the region, increasing instability.
As the crisis deepens, the United Nations has called for international support to aid refugees and ease tensions between neighboring countries. But for those fleeing, the focus remains on survival. Charlotte Odile, who lost her husband to the M23 rebels, is determined to rebuild her life. “I just want a safe home for my children,” she said.
For now, hope is the only thing keeping thousands going as they face an uncertain future, far from home.
