A Uprona activist escapes assassination attempt in Giharo

SOS Médias Burundi

Rutana, June 28, 2025 – A new episode of political violence is shaking the district of Giharo, one of the Burundian towns regularly cited for repeated cases of harassment and violence against opponents and perceived opponents. In Mura village, Bosco Nyaburiri, a Uprona party activist, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. He survived a knife attack carried out by young Imbonerakure and local officials of the CNDD-FDD party.

The young Imbonerakure (members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party in Burundi): Alexis Ngezahayo, Jean Ndayisenga, and Jonas Ndericimpaye are cited as the main perpetrators of the attack. They allegedly acted with the complicity of several influential local figures :

Emmanuel Ntahondonkeye, technical advisor in charge of administrative, social, and legal affairs to the Giharo administrator.

Alexis Baraguma, alias Ruganzizindi, CNDD-FDD representative in the Giharo zone.

Désiré Bigirima, Giharo zone chief.

Rénovat Hakizimana, CNDD-FDD district representative in Musongati.

Sylvain Nzikoruriho, CNDD-FDD provincial representative in Burunga province.

A strategy to control agricultural resources

According to collected testimonies, this assassination attempt is part of a broader strategy to control agricultural resources by certain local officials. Recently, these same authorities replaced the elected committee of the Munyundo marsh without any consultation with farmers.

Similar cases have been reported in the Mukazye marsh and other areas of Giharo district, where legitimate farmers’ committees are systematically dismantled and replaced by structures favorable to the ruling party.

Bosco Nyaburiri under persistent threats

On the day of the attack, Bosco Nyaburiri narrowly escaped. However, his attackers seized his suit, which contained 100,000 Burundi francs, a sum still held by the assailants.

The victim’s family, UPRONA members from Mura village, and those from the Giharo zone are calling for urgent intervention from the national authorities. They demand immediate protection for Bosco Nyaburiri, who continues to receive explicit death threats.
The attackers reportedly said, “We’ll kill you at any moment.”

A persistent climate of intimidation in Giharo

The district of Giharo is frequently cited among the localities in Burundi where repeated cases of harassment and targeted political violence against opponents and perceived opponents are regularly reported.

This incident once again illustrates the atmosphere of intimidation prevailing in rural Burundi, where local power structures are often accused of being used to persecute opponents and control economic resources.

Residents and observers in the region call for :

The immediate opening of an independent investigation.

Strong sanctions against those responsible

Strengthened protection for Bosco Nyaburiri and all activists under threat.