DRC reopens border with Burundi as M23 withdrawal signals easing tensions

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reopened the Kavimvira-Gatumba border crossing with Burundi on Monday, Feb. 23, restoring access for Congolese nationals to Uvira and Fizi, even for those whose travel documents were lost or expired after last December’s seizure of Uvira by M23 rebels.

The border had been closed following the capture of Uvira, a strategic city on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in South Kivu province, by the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 (AFC/M23). The crossing is a vital route for trade and movement between the two countries.

The reopening coincides with the AFC/M23 announcement that its fighters would withdraw from Uvira, reportedly at the request of Washington, as part of ongoing mediation between Kinshasa and Kigali. However, the Congolese government dismissed the withdrawal announcement as a diversion, accusing the rebel group of seeking to distract the international community.

Security in eastern DRC has improved in recent months amid diplomatic efforts led by the United States and active involvement of President Félix Tshisekedi. On Feb. 2, the DRC government and AFC/M23 signed terms of reference for a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism under the Doha Framework Agreement, initially signed in November 2025.

The reopening of Kavimvira-Gatumba is seen as a first step toward restoring cross-border trade and stabilizing civilian life in the Uvira and Fizi regions, which have been disrupted by months of rebel occupation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faced persistent instability in its eastern provinces, particularly in North and South Kivu, due to armed groups such as the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 (AFC/M23). The M23 rebel movement, active since 2012, has repeatedly seized towns and territory, disrupting trade, displacing civilians, and straining relations with neighbouring countries like Burundi and Rwanda.

In December 2025, M23 fighters captured Uvira, a strategic port city on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, prompting the DRC government to close the Kavimvira-Gatumba border crossing with Burundi for security reasons. The crossing is a key trade and transport route linking the two countries, critical for the movement of goods and people.

Efforts to resolve the conflict have intensified under the Doha Framework Agreement, signed in November 2025, which provides for ceasefire monitoring, withdrawal of rebel forces, and verification mechanisms overseen by international mediators. The United States and regional actors have actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure peace, with President Félix Tshisekedi personally involved in negotiations.

The reopening of the Kavimvira-Gatumba border signals early progress in implementing the agreement, allowing Congolese citizens to return to Uvira and Fizi, even without valid travel documents, and restoring a critical economic lifeline for local communities. While security remains fragile, the move is a step toward stabilizing eastern DRC and promoting cross-border trade with Burundi.