Makamba : a Burundian chased by Tanzanians dies while fleeing

Two Burundians from Mwandinga in the district and region of Kigoma (northwest Tanzania), were the target of an attack by a group of Tanzanian bandits who wanted to rob them of their property.

While fleeing, one of the two Burundians fell fatally and another broke his leg. The body remains in the hands of the Tanzanian police while the victim’s family demands his repatriation.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Julien Mutabazi and Éric Ruzocimana had settled in Tanzania as part of their field work, as is the case for several other Burundian nationals from the northeast, southeast and center-east. They were attacked by unknown assailants as they approached the border with Burundi.

“Julien Mutabazi fell into a very rugged rocky chasm and died on the spot around 6 a.m. on November 16. His companion, who broke his leg, was able to walk and cross the border…”, our sources say. The Tanzanian police refused to give Julien’s body to his family, saying they preferred to do an autopsy first.

Administration authorities in the border district of Mabanda denounce recurring attacks against Burundian nationals returning from neighboring Tanzania.

“Burundians are still victims of murders and robberies on the Tanzanian soil. There are even houses on the Tanzanian side of the border where armed bandits hide and ambush Burundians returning to their country,” complains a local administration official.

Local residents, for their part, swear to take revenge if nothing is done.

“Tanzanians move around peacefully on the Burundian soil without even carrying travel documents. If the situation persists, we will end up taking revenge,” warn men from the villages bordering Tanzania. The two men who were attacked by Tanzanians are from the locality of Muresi, in the district of Makamba. The victim’s family has contacted administration authorities to help them obtain the repatriation of his body.

Border countries of the East African Community issue a document that allows their citizens to move freely in a neighboring country for three months. This document is called “Ujirani mwema or good neighborliness”. Tanzanian authorities have not recognized this document for four months, according to Burundian administration sources. But Burundi has not yet adapted the principle of reciprocity.

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The Mugina border post between Burundi and Tanzania (SOS Médias Burundi)