The Governor of Bujumbura Province, Major General Aloys Ndayikengurukiye, is concerned about Burundi’s soil being washed away into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In a letter dated August 3, 2026, Governor Ndayikengurukiye explained that from July 13 to 16, a team responsible for demarcating the country’s borders visited the banks of the Rusizi and Ruhwa rivers in the province.
Governor Ndayikengurukiye said the inspection found that activities carried out by Burundians living near the rivers were causing Burundi’s soil to be washed into the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda by the Rusizi and Ruhwa rivers.
He said, “It was found that activities carried out by citizens on both sides of these rivers are causing Burundi’s soil to be washed away and carried into the Congo or Rwanda because the Rusizi and Ruhwa rivers have changed their course and are now flowing more heavily on the Burundian side.”
The governor explained that the “harmful activities by our citizens” include farming along riverbanks, mining, brickmaking, and failure to protect the riverbanks, all of which contribute to soil erosion in Burundi.
He said, “What is unfortunate is that all these activities take place while authorities turn a blind eye, as if they do not see them. Sometimes, it even turns out that they are the ones who issued permits allowing these harmful activities.”
Governor Ndayikengurukiye explained that after the problem was identified, a broad meeting was held involving officials from security and local government institutions. The meeting resulted in resolutions including planting trees along the riverbanks and preventing activities that damage the riverbanks.
