Cibitoke : two bodies in Burundian military uniforms found in the Rusizi River, following a similar discovery in May

SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, July 14, 2025 – Two corpses in an advanced state of decomposition, dressed in FDNB (Burundi National Defense Force) uniforms, were discovered on Monday morning on the banks of the Rusizi River, near Rukana village and zone, Cibitoke district, in Bujumbura province. Their identities remain unknown, and authorities have maintained a complete silence, raising many questions.

According to local witnesses, fishermen spotted the bodies, washed up among the reeds.
The Rusizi River marks the natural border between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Once alerted, soldiers from the nearby post quickly responded to the scene.

“They blocked access to the river, prohibited any gatherings, then wrapped the bodies in tarpaulins before loading them into a military vehicle,” recounts a resident of Rukana.

“They provided no information and left immediately.”

Second discovery in two months, but with notable differences

This gruesome discovery comes less than two months after a similar incident : on May 15, 2025, two other bodies were discovered in the same Rusizi River, this time in the neighboring town of Rusiga, also in Cibitoke district. Unlike on Monday, the bodies found in May were wearing Congolese army (FARDC) uniforms.

It was then agents of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) who discreetly recovered the remains, without any public explanation.

Unconfirmed hypotheses

In this case, the bodies were clearly wearing uniforms of the FDNB, the Burundian army. Local sources speculate that they could be militiamen or Imbonerakure, members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party in Burundi for two decades. Some are believed to have participated in operations in the DRC before attempting to return to Burundi clandestinely via the Rusizi River.

This border area is known for being used for illegal crossings, at night, by swimming or by canoe. Witnesses report having recently observed groups discreetly crossing the river.

“There are often suspicious movements here. But these deaths remain unexplained,” confided a young fisherman from the Rukana zone.

Persistent official silence

Interviewed by SOS Médias Burundi, the Rugombo zone chief stated that he had not been informed of the discovery. On the military side, the commander of the 112th Infantry Battalion based in Cibitoke avoided all questions, simply saying :

“The time is not yet right to provide information.”

Popular concern and confusion

The lack of official communication leaves the population in a state of complete incomprehension. The series of discoveries of military corpses in the Rusizi—first in FARDC uniform, now in FDNB uniform—raises questions about regional military relations, secret cross-border operations, and even possible internal rivalries.

“Two bodies in May, two more in July… and still no explanation. What’s happening on our territory?” wonders a local notable.

While waiting for clarification, the Rusizi continues to carry its share of mysteries—and corpses. The population, for its part, remains anxious in the face of this disturbing silence from the authorities.