Nearly 200 kilometers from Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital, the Minister of State in charge of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity, Ms. Ève Bazaiba, together with the Deputy Minister responsible for Francophonie and the Congolese Diaspora, Mr. Crispin Mbandu, paid a visit to displaced Congolese refugees.
The Busuma site, located in the Buhumuza region, is the largest refugee site in the country, hosting the vast majority of Congolese refugees identified so far in Burundi. On the ground, the delegation was confronted with a dramatic humanitarian situation, where needs are immense and every sector requires urgent attention.
During the visit, Minister of State Ève Bazaiba delivered humanitarian assistance, including food and non-food items, to support refugees living in extremely difficult conditions. Despite the hardship, the strong patriotic spirit of the Congolese people was clearly evident. In a spontaneous and deeply moving moment, the refugees began singing the national anthem, expressing their unity, dignity, and attachment to their homeland.
As the delegation toured the site, refugees voiced a clear and emotional message: their desire to return home. “We want to go back home,” they sang, underscoring their hope for peace and stability in their country of origin. The scene was charged with emotion, and Minister Ève Bazaiba, often affectionately referred to as “Mama Bazaiba,” was visibly moved, unable to hold back her tears as she listened to their plea.
The visit highlighted the severity of the humanitarian situation faced by Congolese refugees in Burundi, while also reflecting their resilience and enduring hope. It further reinforced the urgency of restoring lasting peace and security in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the only sustainable path toward a safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees to their homes.
