Ciibitoke : a farmer brutally beaten to death in a disputed field
SOS Médias Burundi,
Cibitoke, – The lifeless body of Julienne Nahayo, 59 years old, was discovered Sunday afternoon in a cassava field in Gabiro-Ruvyagira village, in the Rugombo zone, Cibitoke district, in northwestern Burundi. Everything indicates that this was a premeditated murder linked to a land dispute. The police have opened an investigation and are appealing for witnesses.
The residents of Gabiro-Ruvyagira are in shock. On Sunday, July 6, 2025, Julienne Nahayo was found dead in the middle of her cassava field, covered in a pool of blood. The day before, she had gone there alone for farm work and had not returned.
According to preliminary findings, the victim was dragged several meters before being violently struck on the head. The autopsy performed at the Cibitoke morgue confirmed severe head trauma caused by a blunt object.
A land dispute as a backdrop
Relatives of the victim revealed that the field where she was murdered was at the center of an ongoing land dispute with neighbors. “She had been threatened. “She was told she would pay dearly if she continued to farm the land,” confided a still-distraught family member.
Everything points to a premeditated murder, in a context where land disputes frequently escalate into deadly violence in rural Burundi.
Police mobilized, the population urged to cooperate
Law enforcement in Rugombo has increased its presence in the village and is calling on the population to provide any information that could advance the investigation.
“Anyone, even those with minor details, is encouraged to come forward. Every clue counts,” said the local police commissioner.
Initial testimonies are being collected, and several leads are being explored. No suspects have been arrested yet.
A community in mourning
The tragic death of Julienne Nahayo leaves her family and the entire community in deep sadness. A beloved mother, sister, and neighbor, she was known for her kindness and commitment to agricultural work. “We demand that justice be done and that the perpetrators of this heinous act be severely punished,” implored a relative.
On the hillside, fear and anger are growing. This tragedy has rekindled concerns about unresolved land conflicts and prompted authorities to urgently establish effective mediation mechanisms.
The investigation continues, but in Gabiro-Ruvyagira, one thing is certain : peace will not return until justice is done.
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