The border crossing between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi at Kavimvira/Gatumba officially reopened on Monday, 23 February 2026, restoring a key transit point that had been closed for more than two months amid conflict in eastern DRC.
The crossing — located on Lake Tanganyika and linking the Burundian town of Gatumba with Uvira in South Kivu province — had been shut since 10 December 2025 when fighting involving the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group prompted Burundi to suspend cross-border movement for security reasons.
Efforts to retake Uvira by Congolese forces culminated in the withdrawal of M23 fighters in January 2026, allowing authorities to declare the area secure enough to reopen the border.
The reopening has brought relief to traders, families, transporters and students who were separated by the closure and heavily disrupted commerce and travel. Motorcycle taxis and goods carriers resumed normal activity early Monday, and many people began crossing under regular procedures.
Officials on both sides say the crossing will operate under standard immigration controls, and the return of trade and movement is expected to help ease economic hardship in the border communities after weeks of interruption.
Despite this positive step, security remains fragile in parts of eastern DRC, and other crossings in areas still affected by fighting remain closed.