Cibitoke: two bodies found on the banks of the Rusizi River – mystery and concern on the Burundi-DRC border

SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, June 15, 2025 – The bodies of two men were discovered on Saturday morning, June 14, on the banks of the Rusizi River, in the district of Buganda, Cibitoke province, on the border between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Circumstances of their deaths remain unclear, fueling fear and questions among the region’s residents.

It was in the locality of the 4th avenue, Nyamitanga village, Ndava zone, where villagers made the gruesome discovery. The two lifeless bodies were lying in the immediate vicinity of the Rusizi River. According to initial information gathered by our security sources, the victims attempted to cross illegally into the DRC during the night of Friday to Saturday.

But several signs point to a darker scenario. The bodies show clear signs of violence, and a large amount of blood was found some 500 meters from the river, suggesting that the two men were killed elsewhere before being moved to the scene.

Local sources point the finger at the Imbonerakure, members of the youth league affiliated with the ruling CNDD-FDD party. They are regularly seen on night patrol, often armed, in this border region. However, at this stage, no tangible evidence has been found to confirm their involvement in this double homicide.

The identity of the victims remains unknown, adding to the climate of tension now prevailing in the area. The residents of Nyamitanga are calling on the authorities to conduct a rigorous and impartial investigation to shed light on this tragedy.

A persistent climate of fear

“This isn’t the first time bodies have been found in this river, but this time it’s even more worrying. We often hear screams at night, armed people coming and going. We’re afraid, but we don’t dare speak out,” confided a resident of Nyamitanga, speaking anonymously at the scene of the tragedy.
According to him, the recurring presence of unidentified armed groups in the area makes daily life difficult : “At night, no one dares go out. Even for fishing or early morning farming, we go there in fear.”

Contacted by SOS Médias Burundi, the district administrator of Buganda, Pamphile Hakizimana, confirmed the transfer of the bodies to the local morgue. He urges the population to cooperate with the judicial police investigators. “It is crucial that justice be done and that the perpetrators be brought to justice,” he declared, while announcing the strengthening of security measures in the border area.

This latest tragedy adds to a series of incidents recorded in recent months in this northwestern part of the country, where security tensions and smuggling activities are commonplace.