Wounded Burundian soldiers who have been fighting AFC/M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for days are filling up various hospitals in Bujumbura province.
Since the beginning of last week, heavy fighting has been taking place in South Kivu province. The Burundian, DRC and Wazalendo forces are being weakened, as they have been stripped of many parts.
The AFC/M23 fighters, who left the Kamanyola center last week, have now reached the Sange area, 30 kilometers from the city of Uvira.
The Burundian website SOS Medias reported that the Kamenge military hospital alone is hosting 87 wounded Burundian soldiers.
A journalist who visited the hospital said, “It’s easy to recognize them: most are wearing red tracksuits. Many have bags on their arms.”
Other wounded were transferred to other hospitals, including Tanganyika Care Polyclinic. Many hospitals in Bujumbura are overcrowded due to this problem, with beds being shared by up to three patients.
There are reports that, in the wake of the defeat, the Burundian military leadership has asked its soldiers to return home immediately to avoid further loss of life in the war in the DRC.
Since the morning of December 8, 2025, many Burundian soldiers, Imbonerakure and Wazalendo have been fleeing to Bujumbura from the city of Uvira. Locals who saw them said they looked very tired.
The Burundian army has sent many soldiers to the border to receive the fleeing people in order to maintain peace. Those leaving the DRC will be disarmed before continuing to their camps.
Burundi has sent nearly 20,000 soldiers to South Kivu. Most of them have gone to the areas around Minembwe in the territories of Uvira, Fizi and Mwenga, blocking the roads where the Banyamulenge people can travel to markets and hospitals.
