Burundi has closed its main border posts with the Democratic Republic of Congo after the M23, supported by the Rwandan army, entered the strategic town of Uvira, security sources said on Wednesday.

The Gatumba and Vugizo posts have been closed since Tuesday afternoon. “Each post is now considered a military zone,” said a Burundian army officer quoted by AFP. Long committed to Kinshasa’s side, Burundi has now chosen to withdraw from the conflict to protect its own borders.

The Burundian National Defence Forces (the country’s army) had set up one of its most important military bases in Uvira to prevent any rebel breakthrough. But the Burundian army has discreetly left the area, located only about 30 kilometres from its capital. The Burundian authorities now fear a potential advance by the rebels and the Rwandan army into their territory and prefer to take internal measures.

Bujumbura closed its border with the DRC after Uvira was taken by the AFC-#M23. Thousands of civilians are fleeing to Bujumbura, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Burundi’s border with Rwanda has remained closed since January. The only border open to Burundi is with Tanzania, which exacerbates the situation in the African Great Lakes region, given that Bujumbura, the economic capital, is heavily dependent on imports of basic necessities from the DRC.

The Burundian authorities have not yet made an official statement, but military presence has been reinforced along the border, according to several witnesses in the region.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma