MWE Correspondent
More than 754 people fleeing fresh violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo have crossed into Rwanda through the Bugarama–Kamanyola border in Rusizi District, marking one of the largest recent influxes of displaced families from DRC.
According to local authorities, the movement began earlier in the week as fighting escalated in South Kivu Province, prompting hundreds of civilians to flee their homes in search of safety.
Most of the new arrivals are women, children, and elderly people who reportedly traveled for hours — in some cases days — to reach the Rwandan border. Many were visibly exhausted, carrying light bags, blankets, or whatever belongings they could save before escaping. Several individuals who spoke to local officials described intense fear as shelling and gunfire came dangerously close to their villages, forcing them to run without time to prepare.
Upon entering Rwanda, the refugees were immediately moved to the Nyarushishi Transit Centre, where emergency teams provided water, food, and basic medical care. Health workers say a number of children arrived dehydrated and in need of urgent attention, while others showed signs of shock after witnessing the violence. Humanitarian agencies stationed in Rusizi have set up registration points to document the arrivals and identify families requiring additional support.
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Residents living along the border reported hearing explosions from the Congolese side throughout the night, an indication that fighting between government forces and armed groups remains intense. While the Rwandan side of the frontier remains stable, authorities have tightened border security as a precaution and increased surveillance to monitor ongoing movements from the conflict zones.
This latest influx adds to a long pattern of instability across the Great Lakes region, where cycles of violence have repeatedly forced civilians to flee across borders. Rwanda already hosts a significant population of Congolese refugees, many of whom arrived during previous waves of unrest. With the situation in eastern Congo showing no immediate signs of improvement, humanitarian agencies anticipate that more families could cross into Rwanda in the coming days.
Analysts say the renewed clashes highlight the persistent fragility of eastern Congo, where dozens of armed groups operate and state control remains limited. Efforts to restore peace have been hampered by political tensions, resource-driven conflicts, and long-standing grievances among local communities. The ongoing humanitarian fallout also affects neighboring countries within the African Great Lakes region, which continue to shoulder the responsibility of hosting displaced populations.
Rwandan officials have urged calm and assured the public that measures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and refugees.
