Trade Returns to Uvira as DRC-Burundi Border Reopens

Uvira’s Kavimvira-Gatumba border crossing reopened on Monday, February 23, ending more than two months of disruption triggered by fighting linked to the Rwanda-backed M23/AFC rebel offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The restart of movement along the Lake Tanganyika corridor restores a critical artery for trade, transport, and civilian mobility between Bujumbura and Uvira, a city whose economy depends heavily on informal cross-border exchange.

Closure Driven By Offensive

The border post was shut in December as M23 fighters advanced toward Uvira in South Kivu, in an operation analysts said aimed partly at severing Burundi’s military support to Congolese forces. The closure froze commercial flows and contributed to a refugee surge, with tens of thousands of Congolese fleeing into Burundi as clashes intensified. The crossing remained closed even after M23 withdrew from Uvira in January.

M23 leaders at the time cited a U.S. request connected to Washington’s mediation efforts between Kinshasa and Kigali.

With the Congolese army reestablishing control, South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi confirmed the border’s reopening at 8:00 am local time on February 23. Other crossings in M23-controlled areas remain closed, underscoring the fragmented security landscape.

Returns And Trade Rebound

By early morning, dense crowds formed on both sides of the frontier - Kavimvira on the Congolese side and Gatumba on the Burundian side. Traders, students, transporters, and families separated by the crisis crossed as motorcycle taxis and bicycles loaded with goods reappeared. A Burundi border police official observed visible movement back toward Uvira, saying, “We can see a lot of Congolese returning home.”

Personal accounts captured both relief and lingering anxiety. Dalili Mussa, a Congolese citizen stranded during the shutdown, said, “I am very happy, because for a long time we were looking for a way to return home, but it was not possible.”

Aline Safi, who fled with her children during the violence, recalled, “We were in the house with the children when the crackling of bullets and bombs began.”

Economic Shock And Stabilization Test

For Uvira, the suspension of cross-border activity carried immediate economic consequences. Local markets saw rising prices and shortages of basic goods as daily exchanges with Gatumba halted. Bosco Amani, a trader, described the reopening as “a great joy for us and for all the residents of Uvira,” noting renewed traffic and celebrations among students and drivers.

Yet the normalization remains tentative. The region has endured nearly three decades of cyclical conflict, with M23’s resurgence in 2021 igniting the latest crisis.

Stability hinges on ceasefire adherence and the durability of diplomatic efforts involving Angola, the United States, and regional governments.

Diplomatic And Ceasefire Context

The reopening comes amid intensified diplomatic engagement. The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, visited Goma on Friday, describing eastern DRC’s humanitarian situation as catastrophic following meetings with M23/AFC representatives. Her regional tour included Kinshasa, Kigali, and Bujumbura and coincided with the EU’s release of 81.2 million euros in humanitarian assistance.

DR Congo HAS ALSO said it had accepted “in principle” a ceasefire and frontline freeze proposal advanced by Angola, a decision that alignes with a MONUSCO plan to conduct reconnaissance flights over Uvira as part of ceasefire monitoring arrangements.

Despite these moves, both the Congolese army and M23 have accused each other of violations, reflecting persistent volatility across North and South Kivu.