Congolese refugees in Burundi: Families separated by chaos of war
Burundi goes to the polls this Thursday to elect MPs and local councillors. But the election has already been heavily criticised, with many candidates disqualified by the electoral commission – including longtime opposition figure Agathon Rwasa. Burundi is also affected by the conflict in neighbouring DR Congo. More than 71,000 Congolese nationals have fled the fighting between the Congolese army and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels since January. Many have crossed into Burundi, making this the largest refugee influx the country has seen in decades. The chaos of war has torn families apart, as our regional correspondent reports.
Burundi goes to the polls this Thursday to elect MPs and local councillors. But the election has already been heavily criticised, with many candidates disqualified by the electoral commission – including longtime opposition figure Agathon Rwasa. Burundi is also affected by the conflict in neighbouring DR Congo. More than 71,000 Congolese nationals have fled the fighting between the Congolese army and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels since January. Many have crossed into Burundi, making this the largest refugee influx the country has seen in decades. The chaos of war has torn families apart, as our regional correspondent reports.
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