Uvira, DRC — Trade and Hope Return as Border with Burundi Reopens. Uvira, DRC — February 23, 2026 The border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi, which had been closed for over two months, reopened this Monday, February 23, signaling a return to normalcy for residents of Uvira, a city on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
The closure, which followed the takeover of Uvira by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF/M23) rebel group, had led to a period of isolation and uncertainty for thousands of residents.
From the early hours of the morning, a large crowd gathered at the Kavimvira crossing on the Congolese side and at Gatumba on the Burundian side. Traders, transporters, students, and families who had been separated by the crisis crossed the barrier, visibly relieved.
Motorcycle taxis resumed their rotations, bicycles loaded with goods reappeared, and cross — border trade — the economic lifeline of Uvira — restarted.
“I am very happy, because for a long time we were looking for a way to return home, but it was not possible,” said Dalili Mussa, a Congolese citizen who had been stranded in Burundi during the closure. Many families had sought refuge across the border, fleeing insecurity, and the reopening of the border now offers the possibility of gradual returns.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the advance of M23 rebels in South Kivu province caused a significant influx of Congolese refugees into Burundi.
The reopening of the border is a welcome development for those who had been displaced. For more than two months, the suspension of cross-border activities severely affected the local economy. Uvira largely depends on informal trade and daily exchanges with Gatumba.
The interruption of traffic led to rising prices, shortages of certain basic goods, and significant income losses for households. “The reopening of the border is a great joy for us and for all the residents of Uvira,” said Bosco Amani, a trader. “Even in Gatumba, there is celebration.
Motorcycles and bicycles are moving. I even saw students leaving their schools to come celebrate at the border. ” Announced the day before by the governor of South Kivu, this reopening marks a symbolic and economic turning point for the region.
However, residents remain cautious.
The scars of recent clashes are still visible, and stability remains fragile. For many, what matters now is that the border remains open and that both Congolese and Burundian authorities work to ensure security and freedom of movement.
In Uvira, hope is reborn to the rhythm of footsteps once again crossing Kavimvira — a tangible sign of a gradual return to normalcy.
