The US embassy in Burundi has ordered the families of its personnel to evacuate the country, citing growing security concerns stemming from the escalating conflict in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The embassy also authorized the departure of non-essential US staff, though it said it would maintain emergency consular services.
The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group claiming to fight for the rights of Congolese Tutsis, has made significant advances in eastern DRC in recent weeks, even pushing back Burundian troops supporting the Congolese army.
Their advance towards the Burundian border has raised fears of spillover violence.
“The safety and security of our personnel and their families is our top priority,” a US Embassy spokesperson said.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reports that over 42,000 refugees have fled from the DRC into Burundi in the past two weeks alone, placing a strain on already limited resources.
While the Burundian government has officially denied any troop withdrawal, sources confirmed to AFP that some of the 10,000 soldiers deployed to DRC have been recalled.
The influx of refugees and the potential withdrawal of troops could further destabilize Burundi, which itself has a history of ethnic conflict.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for a ceasefire during a phone call with Kenyan President William Ruto, highlighting the international concern over the escalating situation.
The M23’s gains and the refugee crisis underscore the fragile security landscape in the Great Lakes region.