UNHCR shocked over Burundians deaths in DRC, calls for investigation

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is shocked and saddened over the violent death of numerous Burundian nationals – among them likely refugees and asylum-seekers, in Kamanyola, a town in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNHCR also calls for an investigation into this tragic incident.

While the precise circumstances are not yet clear, reports indicate that in the course of a confrontation with Burundian demonstrators, Congolese security forces opened fire on the crowd. Initial reports suggest over 30 dead and more than 100 left injured.

UNHCR and its partners have sent teams to Kamanyola, including medical staff, to treat the injured.

Kamanyola hosts 2,005 refugees and asylum-seekers from Burundi, most of whom arrived in 2015. A total of 43,769 Burundian refugees live in DRC.

Media Contacts:

• In Kinshasa, Andreas Kirchhof, [email protected], +243 817 009 484
• In Geneva, Babar Baloch, [email protected], +41 79 513 95 49