Mabayi : 7 bodies wearing the uniform of the Congolese army discovered

At least seven corpses wearing the uniform of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) were discovered on Friday, November 29 in the Kibira natural reserve. These decomposing corpses were found on the Kaburantwa side, in Rutorero village, in the Butahana zone in the province of Cibitoke (northwest Burundi). Witnesses say that these individuals were killed with machetes and knives. The district administration says it is waiting for the army’s investigations to decide on the identity of these people.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Without identity plates, the seven bodies were buried by volunteers from the Burundi Red Cross, helped by Imbonerakure (members of the CNDD-FDD youth league).

According to witnesses, these bodies were discovered at nightfall on November 29.

“Passers-by were first alerted by a nauseating smell before going to check. They therefore found these bodies in full decomposition in the forest,” they say.

A security source stated that “all seven men were killed and decapitated with machetes and knives.”

“In the place where these bodies were found, there were huts that had been burned by unknown persons,” continued this source.

There are reports of the presence of Rwandan rebels FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) and especially the FLN (National Liberation Front) in this region. Residents suspect a fight that went wrong between members of these two armed groups over the sharing of gold they exploit in the Kibira natural reserve, under the cover of certain Burundian administration and security officials.

Residents of the border areas with Kibira continue to denounce “criminal acts, looting in households attributable to these Rwandan rebels”. Those who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi ask competent authorities to “do everything to restore order and security in our region”.

Jeanne Izomporera, the district administrator of Mabayi confirmed the discovery of these bodies. She says she is waiting for the investigations of the army deployed in this immense natural forest before giving more details on this case.

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The town center of the district of Mabayi where the seven bodies were discovered (SOS Médias Burundi)