In Uvira, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, daily life has lost its usual rhythm.
Since December 10th, when the border with Burundi closed, the city has ground to a halt. The shopping streets, once bustling with vendors and transporters, now reflect a profound lack of activity. At the heart of this paralysis lies the cessation of cross-border trade, the true economic lifeblood of the region. Every day, before the closure, hundreds of traders, transporters, and families crossed the border posts at Kavimvira, on the Congolese side, and Gatumba, on the Burundian side. They sold food, clothing, medicine, and manufactured goods. These informal and formal exchanges sustained a large part of Uvira's population. Today, the barriers are closed. The stalls are less well-stocked. Incomes have collapsed.
Scolastique Mushota, a vendor, bitterly describes the situation: " We used to depend on Bujumbura. We are small traders. We would bring goods to Bujumbura and then take other products from Bujumbura here. Now, in Uvira, we are suffering greatly."
Like her, many small traders relied on local commerce, which depended on the free movement of goods across the border. The city of Bujumbura was a natural outlet for Congolese products and an essential source of supply for Uvira. Deprived of this trade route, the local economy is faltering, and with it, families' ability to meet their most basic needs. Beyond the economic impact, the border closure has dramatic repercussions for public health. For many families, Bujumbura's medical facilities represented an accessible and sometimes better-equipped alternative. Mapendo Julienne, a trader, testifies: "People are dying for lack of care. Before, at the slightest sign of illness, we would take the sick person to Bujumbura for treatment, but now, the disaster is enormous because of the border closure."
A call for reopening
While Congolese authorities have regained administrative and security control of the city since January, access to specialized care remains limited. The inability to cross the border complicates the handling of some urgent cases, exacerbating the feeling of abandonment among residents. The border between Uvira and Gatumba is not just a trade route; it is also a shared living space. Many families live on both sides of the border. Mixed marriages, kinship ties, and cross-border schooling are commonplace.
Bibenga Georges, a parent of a student, is worried: the Congolese and Burundian governments should discuss and see how important it is that these children who fled the fighting to Burundi can return home to Uvira to continue their schooling.
Recent episodes of insecurity, including the entry of Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebels into the city in December, prompted some families to seek temporary refuge in Burundi. Although these armed men withdrew a few days later and Congolese security forces resumed their duties, the border remains closed.
This situation is preventing many children from returning home and complicating the resumption of normal life. Last December, Burundi officially closed its Gatumba land border crossing with the DRC after the incursion of AFC/M23 elements into Uvira. This decision, motivated by security concerns, aimed to prevent any cross-border instability. But two months later, despite the relative calm and the resumption of administrative activities in Uvira, the border remains closed. For local civil society, the urgency is clear.
Ghislain Baraiga Kabamba, a member of civil society, advocates for a negotiated solution: "We can only request the reopening of this border because it is a part of life, both for the Congolese population and for the Burundian population. This border is for us a factor of development, an important economic and social factor. Therefore, its reopening will be a relief."
The residents do not dispute the need for security measures. However, they demand a balance between protecting states and ensuring the survival of their populations. For them, the border is not just a checkpoint: it is a vital link. In Uvira, the hope for a swift reopening remains strong, but uncertainty prevails. Each passing day further weakens households dependent on cross-border trade. The sparsely stocked stalls and worried faces serve as a stark reminder of how closely the local economy is tied to free movement with Burundi. In this border town, the closure is not merely an administrative decision: it has become a daily struggle. Between economic crisis, health challenges, and separated families, Uvira awaits a political gesture that could breathe new life into an entire region.
