Over 1,000 Congolese civilians, predominantly women and children, have crossed into Rwanda over the past week, seeking safety from the escalating violence in South Kivu province.
The influx comes just days after a US-brokered peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, hailed as a historic step toward ending decades of conflict.
Yet, while politicians celebrate diplomatic progress, civilians continue to bear the brunt of violence on the ground—a stark paradox between international promises and human suffering.
The Bugarama-Kamanyola border post in Rwanda’s Rusizi District has become a vital point of refuge, receiving hundreds of displaced people daily. Families arrive carrying only essential belongings and livestock, fleeing homes that have been targeted by shelling and bombings.
Upon arrival, they are temporarily hosted at the Nyarushishi transit Centre, where they receive food, water, and bedding. Local authorities continue to manage the growing numbers, but the scale of the crisis stretches both resources and capacity.
Phanuel Sindayiheba, the Mayor of Rusizi district recently confirmed that more Congolese nationals continue cross into Rwanda for refuge and upon arrival at the border, they are received and given water, juice, and biscuits.
“The Nyarushishi transit centre has the capacity of hosting only about 2,000 people but we remain ready to receive whoever is in need,” he said.
The human cost of ongoing conflict
Civilians fleeing South Kivu recount harrowing experiences of bombings, artillery shelling, and attacks on their neighborhoods. One mother described hiding in the forest with her children as her village was shelled.
Another recounted how homes, churches, and schools were damaged, resulting in deaths and injuries among neighbors. Despite ceasefires and months of peace talks, fighting continues in key areas, including Kamanyola, Katogota, and Luvungi.
This has constantly forced residents to abandon not just their property but also their livelihoods, education, and community networks. Sebastien Mulumbu, a Congolese small-scale businessman who fled the fighting, described his ordeal.
“We left everything behind. Our homes were bombed, and neighbors were killed. I walked for hours with my children through the forest before reaching the border. We just want safety and hope to return home when peace comes,” lamented.
The conflict involves the Congolese government coalition and the M23 rebel movement, with both sides accusing each other of targeting civilians. Burundian troops are reportedly involved in cross-border shelling.
The violence has already killed scores of civilians, with at least twenty reported dead in Luvungi alone over a single weekend. UNICEF called on warring parties to protect children and schools, warning that attacks on schools are a grave violation against children.
An M23 spokesperson recently condemned the involvement of foreign troops, saying, “These actions by external forces constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the civilian population.”
Regional and humanitarian implications
The refugee influx highlights the wider regional dimension of the crisis. The involvement of neighboring states, such as Burundi, complicates stabilization efforts. The paradox of this crisis lies in the tension between diplomatic optimism and ground realities.
Humanitarian agencies are responding swiftly, but transit camps face overcrowding, and the psychological trauma endured by refugees remains a critical challenge.
The peace accord, signed with great fanfare in Washington, has yet to translate into tangible security for those fleeing violence.
US President Donald Trump, at the signing, said, “Today, we commit to stopping decades of violence and bloodshed, and to begin a new era of harmony and cooperation.”
Families in Rwanda hope for a safe return, expressing urgent needs for peace, safety, and humanitarian assistance. Their resilience amid adversity underscores the human cost of political inaction and the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis alongside diplomatic efforts.
Over 123,600 people were displaced in eastern DRC between July and October due to armed attacks, land disputes, and natural hazards, according to the United Nations.
The current wave of displacement adds to this ongoing humanitarian burden, highlighting that until peace is enforced on the ground, the Congolese population, and the refugees seeking shelter in Rwanda, will continue to live under the shadow of war.
