Authorities conducted document checks in urban areas where refugees had relocated for schooling, leading to several arrests.
Burundian police arrested several Congolese refugees in Gitega, the nation's political capital, on Saturday morning during a sweep of the Karera and Swahili neighborhoods. Witnesses from the refugee community reported that officers checked residency permits and urban dwelling authorizations. The detentions occurred as an increasing number of Congolese refugees have been leaving camps to settle in various Burundi provinces, including Gitega, seeking better educational opportunities for their children.
The operation comes amid concerns from refugees about a discontinued urban residency document previously issued by the National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (ONPRA). Refugees stated that this document, which allowed camp residents to live in urban areas, is no longer being provided, leaving them unable to obtain the required authorization for city living. Many families have relocated from camps specifically to ensure their children can attend school, as conditions in some camps have deteriorated.
One refugee, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the arrests and explained that many detainees had moved to Gitega for their children's education. "We have children who must go to school. Some are still very young and cannot be separated from their parents," the refugee stated. "When educational conditions become difficult in the camps, parents naturally seek another solution. It is in this context that some come to urban areas."
Why it mattersCongolese refugees are affected by police detentions and document checks when relocating to Gitega for their children's education due to the discontinuation of urban residency permits.
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