The Kavimvira border crossing between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi reopened on Monday, February 23, 2026, after being closed for over two months. The closure was prompted by an offensive launched by the Rwanda-backed Armed Forces of the Congo (AFC)/March 23 Movement (M23).
The reopening of the vital trade route, linking the Congolese city of Uvira with Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital, follows the reassertion of control over the area by Congolese authorities. The border had been shut following the M23’s seizure of Sange, a town in the Uvira territory of South Kivu province, in early December 2025. That offensive triggered a significant influx of people crossing into Burundi, and a subsequent retreat of Burundian troops stationed in the region, according to reports from SOS Médias Burundi.
The M23 offensive, part of a larger campaign that began in March 2022, has involved clashes with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). In mid-December 2025, M23 officials claimed to have captured hundreds of Burundian soldiers during the fighting, a claim that has not been independently verified. The ongoing conflict has seen involvement from various armed groups, including the Congo River Alliance, Twirwaneho, and RED-Tabara, fighting alongside or against the M23.
Burundi has maintained a military presence in the DRC since August 2022 as part of regional efforts to stabilize the eastern provinces. Other regional forces, including those from Kenya, South Sudan, and previously Uganda and Tanzania, have also been involved in the conflict. The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) was deployed, but its mandate concluded in December 2025. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in DRC concluded its mission prior to that, in 2025.
The M23’s recent withdrawal from Uvira in December 2025 was presented as a peace move, allowing Burundian citizens working in the DRC to return home. However, the broader situation remains volatile, with the M23 continuing to occupy territory in North and South Kivu provinces. The conflict is fueled by competition for resources, including gold, tantalum, tungsten, and tin, found in the region.
As of February 23, 2026, the situation remains fluid, with no immediate indication of further diplomatic initiatives or a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. The Congolese army continues to engage with various armed groups, including the M23, and the FDLR, while also receiving support from Wazalendo militias.
