Ruzizi River Tragedy: Civilians Drown While Fleeing Conflict in Eastern DRC
Uvira, DRC – August 2025
A severe humanitarian crisis has erupted along the Ruzizi River as hundreds of civilians from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) drown while attempting to escape violent clashes between M23 rebels and government forces (FARDC) by swimming across into neighboring Burundi.
According to eyewitnesses and local leaders, people from towns like Uvira, Sange, Luvungi, and Bwegera risked their lives to cross the treacherous river due to the lack of safe transit routes and bridges along the border.
“We watched people die in front of us,” says Jordan Bita, one of the survivors. He swam nearly 300 meters across the river with his child strapped to his back.
“There was gunfire behind us, no time to think. People jumped into the river one after another. Some were swept away instantly. My neighbor tried to grab a tree branch but slipped—he disappeared in the current.”
Ruzizi River: A Line Between Life and Death
Stretching between Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika, the Ruzizi River has become a deadly obstacle for thousands seeking refuge. Aid organizations estimate over 10,000 people have attempted the crossing in the last two weeks, most of them women and children.
Burundi: A Harsh Welcome
Those who manage to cross arrive in Burundi’s Rugombo and Mpanda regions, only to face more hardship—sleeping outdoors, lacking food, medical attention, or basic shelter.
“They arrive with injuries, broken bones from jumping on rocks. There’s no emergency aid available,” said a representative from the Burundi Red Cross.
Traditional Leaders Call for Action
Mwami Romain Lenge, a traditional chief of the Bavira people, called on the DRC government and the international community to act:
“This endless war must stop. My people are dying from bullets, hunger, disease, and now water. Silence the guns, calm the heart of this nation.”
A Broader Crisis
The violence is part of a prolonged crisis involving M23 rebels—accused of being supported by neighboring countries—fighting against the Congolese army. Human rights groups warn that ordinary civilians continue to suffer most, losing their homes, lives, and dignity.
While Burundi has set up emergency refugee intake points, limited resources raise fears that the conflict could spill across borders.
Conclusion
The Ruzizi River now symbolizes the desperation of civilians caught in Congo’s eastern conflict. Seeking safety has become a gamble with death, and the global community must act—before more lives are lost in silence.
📍Report by: Mangwa | Read more on MecaMediaAfrica.com
