My first time in the DRC, and disappointed several times!

Living in Bujumbura and traveling to the East of the DRC is not strange. On the other hand, the way in which some Burundians are treated at the Gatumba-Kavimvira border post is far from beneficial. Sometimes, they suffer extortion from agents of the Congolese migration service. Testimony.

I have lived in the city of Bujumbura for seven years. My dream of traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is not new, given that it is a few kilometers away. Unfortunately, the opportunity never presented itself until I became friendly with my new roommate: a Congolese. A few days ago, the latter wanted to go to his native country and I offered to accompany him and take the opportunity to discover the Congo. He accepted without hesitation.

D-day arrives, it’s a Sunday. I prepare my passport and a small backpack, not forgetting a few bank notes. This is enough for a one-day trip. Around 9 a.m., my Congolese friend and I go to downtown Bujumbura to take the bus to Gatumba. Once we arrive in Gatumba, we take motorcycle taxis which take us to the border post.

Before starting the administrative procedures, we exchange our Fbu notes for Congolese francs. Burundian police check travelers’ bags and travel documents as usual before crossing a barrier. At the Gatumba-Kavimvira border post, we queue for about an hour to get registered (Burundi side). So far, nothing unusual.

Bad surprises in the DRC

After the administrative formalities, we cross the border to be checked by the DRC migration services. The first person I meet asks for my passport and checks it carefully. His friend next door takes his turn. Then he asks me: “Leta yellow fever”. There, I understand that he wants the document attesting that I have been vaccinated against yellow fever. Unfortunately, I accidentally left it at home. On the other hand, Congolese who cross the border do not need to show this document. This agent adds that if I do not have this document, I must pay 5,000 Fbu. I resist a little without success and I end up giving in. I pay, but in return I receive no supporting documents.

After paying this fee against my will, the agents allowed me to move forward to register. I wait in line for 20 minutes. After checking in, a police officer sitting on a couch spots me and checks my passport one more time. He notices that this is the first time I have set foot on Congolese soil. “I spend all day here in the middle of nowhere, you have to give me at least one ‘Soda’.” So, according to him, I must leave him something before continuing on the road. I offer him 2000 Fbu and he accepts. So much the better. I check my wallet, unfortunately, I no longer have any two thousand Fbu notes. I still have a few 10,000 Fbu notes left. I’m hesitant to touch one, because it would be a bit too much. Luckily, I notice that there are 1500 Fbu in my pocket. I give them to him under the pretext that I have no money left. He takes them. ” Thank God ! », I said deep inside me.

So, I continue the journey while thinking about my lost expenses for free. We visit Uvira precisely in the cities of Kavimvira and Mulongwe to return to Burundi around 4 p.m.

On the way back, history repeats itself

At 4:15 p.m., Congolese migration service agents finish the check-in. I tell myself that everything will go well this time. On the other hand, another unpleasant surprise awaits me. Before crossing the border, a young man with a frightening look and sunglasses takes my passport and asks me once again for the document proving vaccination against yellow fever. I explain to him that I don’t have one and that I was sanctioned by his colleague this morning. He firmly demands that I leave him 5,000 Fbu. I apologize unsuccessfully and end up giving him 2,000 Congolese francs (equivalent to 3,000 Fbu). Finally, he lets me enter Burundi.

I don’t know if what happened to me in the DRC is general or if it’s an isolated case. Regardless, it deserves to be denounced. May Burundian travelers no longer suffer the same fate.

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