Burundi ONPRA Orders Refugees Back to Camps, Citing Security

In October 2026, Richard Uwimana, coordinator of Burundi's National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (ONPRA), mandated that all refugees living outside designated camps must return to their original settlement locations, citing security concerns amidst regional instability.

This directive, presented by authorities as a security measure, is sparking anger and concern among refugees and humanitarian observers. It risks depriving many families of their primary sources of income at a time when humanitarian aid has significantly decreased and food rations are insufficient. The ONPRA coordinator reiterated this directive at the Musenyi site on October 16. This tour follows the public presentation by the Ministry of Security spokesperson, Pierre Nkurikiye, of 13 individuals, predominantly Banyamulenge refugees, accused of spying for Rwanda and armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Nkurikiye notably called on Burundians to monitor Banyamulenge and cease renting houses to them, accusations which relatives of those presented reject, stating the refugees fled conflict.

This policy carries profound legal significance, raising serious human rights and humanitarian law concerns, particularly regarding refugees' freedom of movement, right to livelihood, and the principle of non-refoulement. The blanket directive, coupled with public accusations and calls for monitoring specific ethnic groups, risks fostering stigmatization, discrimination, and potential violations of international refugee protection standards. It highlights a critical tension between a state's perceived national security interests and its international legal obligations towards vulnerable refugee populations.

Burundi is a signatory to key international instruments governing refugee protection, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. These conventions guarantee fundamental rights, including, with some limitations for national security, freedom of movement and protection against discrimination. The principle of non-refoulement, prohibiting the return of refugees to places where their lives or freedom would be threatened, is paramount. Any national laws or regulations implemented by ONPRA and the Ministry of Security must conform to these binding international obligations.

Legal practitioners, particularly those specializing in human rights, immigration, and humanitarian law, should closely monitor the implementation of ONPRA's directive and its impact on refugee rights. It is crucial to assess whether the