DR Congo-Burundi border reopens after two-month closure

After over two months of closure, the border post between Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Gatumba in neighboring Burundi officially reopened on Monday.

The crossing was shut down by Burundian authorities when Uvira fell to the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group.

After facing isolation and uncertainty, thousands in Uvira can now breathe a sigh of relief as both countries have agreed to resume cross-border movement under regular procedures.

The two-month interruption has led to rising prices, shortages of certain basic goods and significant income losses for many households. As movement resumes on both sides, the repose is visible.

"We had been unemployed for a long time. We couldn't stay at home for long. It's there in Bujumbura (the economic capital and the largest city of Burundi) that we find work to make a living. I'm personally delighted, and I think others feel the same way. When the border is open, we are free to work to earn a living," said Cito Bwatera, a resident in Uvira.

"In our work, we had no income because there was no movement of people, which is why today I thank God that the border is reopening," said Kanijo Banza, a motorcycle taxi driver.

"Since the day the border was closed, we had nothing else to do. We went home hungry with our children. Now we are very happy to see that the border is reopened, we are back to work, we will start to have money to feed our families and cater to our children who are studying," said Sifa, a border trader.

Uvira is the second-largest city in South Kivu province, and a crucial commercial gateway linking to Burundi's economic hub, Bujumbura.

It has also served as the temporary administrative headquarters of the provincial government after the capital, Bukavu, was captured by the M23 in February 2025.

For now, hope is reborn in Uvira as normalcy returns gradually. However, other crossing points along the Burundi–DRC border remain closed in areas where M23 fighters are still active.

DR Congo-Burundi border reopens after two-month closure

Farmers in India, a major agricultural producer and fertilizer importer, are raising concerns over fertilizer availability ahead of the planting season, as the escalating Middle East conflict and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz put global supplies at risk.

The Middle East serves as both a vital energy hub and a major global fertilizer supplier, yet the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has heightened risks of disruption to international supplies.

Chand Singh Yadav, a farmer in Haryana, a northern Indian state, said poor crop yields would be disastrous for the country and called on the government to ensure adequate supplies of fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent a food crisis. "Without fertilizers, our crops will not grow well, and this would be disastrous for the entire country. If farmers cannot grow crops, people will not be able to buy food in the market. We urge the government to improve the supply system for fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent the country and society as a whole from sliding into a food crisis," he said.

The Indian government is stepping up subsidies for farmers and optimizing fertilizer distribution and allocation to stabilize the supply. Prices have remained broadly stable, but demand is expected to surge ahead of the planting season, potentially exacerbating supply pressures.

"The current situation is worrying for us farmers. Spring sowing has not yet started, and the rainy season has not arrived. Fertilizer prices are temporarily stable, but in two months, demand for agricultural fertilizers will become pressing. Without fertilizers, it will be difficult to properly cultivate various types of crops. Urea and diammonium phosphate are especially critical. Crops can only grow normally when these fertilizers are applied. As these fertilizers are largely imported, if the conflict persists, supplies cannot be guaranteed," said Santosh Mishra, a farmer in India's eastern state of Odisha.

Escalating Middle East conflict strains India’s fertilizer supply