At least five young people who were part of the Bafulero community militiamen were injured during an altercation between them and Burundian soldiers stationed in the Rusizi plain in the South Kivu province, eastern DRC. The militia wanted to oppose the return of Congolese of Burundian origin settled in the area. They fled their locality in November 2023. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The conflict occured on July 4 in the town of Bwegera, Rusizi plain, southern Kivu province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. According to witnesses, all started when displaced Congolese of Burundian origin wanted to return home.

“These displaced people went to ask the Burundian soldiers to secure them so they could return to their homes which they had abandoned in November 2023, chased by the young Bafulero militiamen. The latter opposed this. As they were armed with rifles and big sticks, the Burundian soldiers were forced to carry out warning shots, injuring five of them,” witnesses said.

Local civil society confirmed the information, indicating that the young Bafulero militia wanted to prevent the return and resettlement of these displaced people. According to residents, the injured are receiving treatment at a local health facility.

Congolese army officials in the region went to Bwegera to calm the situation. Many Burundian soldiers are stationed in the Rusizi plain as part of an agreement between the Congolese and Burundian governments.