The Kavimvira border crossing between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Burundi reopened on Monday, February 23, 2026, ending a two-month closure triggered by an armed group's offensive in eastern DR Congo. The crossing, a vital trade artery on Lake Tanganyika, links Burundi's economic hub Bujumbura with DR Congo's Uvira city.
Authorities in Uvira confirmed the resumption of cross-border traffic at 8:00 a.m. local time, with South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi stating the decision followed improved security after the March 23 Movement (M23) withdrew from Uvira in January. The group cited U.S. mediation efforts between DR Congo and Rwanda as a factor in its retreat.
A Burundian border police official, speaking anonymously, noted an immediate influx of Congolese residents returning home. However, other crossings along the shared border remain closed in areas still under M23 influence.
The reopening signals cautious optimism for regional trade recovery, though analysts warn instability persists. The closure had disrupted supply chains and local livelihoods, underscoring the economic fragility of conflict-affected zones in Central Africa.
