The Burundian government has closed the Kavimvira and Vugizo borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo after the AFC/M23 coalition captured the town of Uvira in South Kivu province.
AFP reported that Burundian security officials confirmed that the border was closed on the afternoon of December 9, 2025.
A Burundian army officer said the reason for the closure was that the areas where the border is located are reserved for military personnel only.
On December 10, the AFC/M23 announced that it had captured the town of Uvira. Prior to this announcement, it was reported that its fighters had entered the town since yesterday evening.
Burundian forces, which had been directly involved in the conflict, fled with the DRC, the Wazalendo groups and the FDLR terrorist group.
Sources from the Uvira territory confirm that many Burundian soldiers have returned to their country, while others are fleeing towards the Itombwe forest.
Burundi’s borders are now open only with Tanzania, as those with Rwanda have been closed since January 2024.
