Nyamabuye River yields another body, tensions rise at Musenyi Camp

SOS Médias Burundi

Musenyi, June 23, 2025 — A lifeless, unidentified body was discovered this Saturday in the Nyamabuye River, near the Congolese refugee site of Musenyi, in Giharo commune, Rutana province, in southeastern Burundi. This grim discovery rekindles fear within the camp, just months after another body, that of a refugee, was found in the same waters.

According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the recovered body showed alarming signs: the victim’s hands were tied, and a coat was fastened around the waist, strongly suggesting a criminal act, possibly even a case of torture. The identity of the victim remains unknown. It is unclear whether the deceased was a refugee or a member of the host community.

“We were near the river when we saw something floating. As we pulled the body out, it was shocking. The arms were tied, and he had a coat knotted around his waist. Everyone was scared,” said a refugee who witnessed the scene and requested anonymity.

Since the body could not be identified, it was buried on-site in the presence of refugees and local residents, in accordance with local traditions.

Local police stated that an investigation has been opened to determine the cause of death and identify potential perpetrators. However, questions remain within the camp: was this an isolated incident or part of a disturbing pattern of targeted violence?

Community leaders at the camp are calling on Burundian authorities and humanitarian agencies to strengthen security in and around the site to prevent further tragedies.

The Musenyi site currently hosts nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees, mostly from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region plagued by instability and armed violence.