At the Gihanga transit center, the warm wind of the Rusizi plain sweeps over the red earth. Aline Ndayihimbaze tightly holds her two children close before gently setting them down on their native soil. This simple yet symbolic gesture marks the end of ten long years of exile far from Burundi.
In 2015, facing instability, Aline, her husband, and their children had to leave their home to seek refuge at the Mulongwe camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For over a decade, the family lived in the uncertainty and precarity of exile, putting their plans on hold.In September 2026, the opportunity to return materialized. The family decided to organize their repatriation in two phases: Aline undertook the journey with the two children, while her husband remained temporarily at the Mulongwe camp. This preliminary step aims to verify security conditions and prepare for their permanent settlement in their home province of Cibitoke, which is now part of the Bujumbura province.
The return journey went smoothly and in an organized manner, supervised by the UNHCR, the AIRD organization, and representatives from both the Burundian and Congolese governments.Upon their arrival at the Gihanga transit center ,a preparatory stage before returning to their hill ,Aline and her children were cared for and received essential material assistance to facilitate their resettlement. As soon as she arrived, Aline phoned her husband to update him on the situation:”We have arrived safely in Gihanga. The journey went smoothly, and the children are doing well. We received the planned assistance, and the conditions are right for our reception. You can join us.”
She encouraged him to complete the formalities quickly so they could reunite and restart their business project. Before 2015, the couple aimed to develop a modern agricultural farm in Cibitoke, an initiative cut short by their forced departure.
From Gihanga, Aline is preparing for their actual return to their land. Despite the ten years spent in Mulongwe, the family is ready to begin the phase of rebuilding and bring their agricultural ambitions in Cibitoke to life.