Cibitoke : four bodies in FARDC military uniforms discovered near the Rusizi River

SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, December 18, 2025 – Four bodies in an advanced state of decomposition, dressed in military uniforms of the FARDC, the Congolese loyalist army, were discovered on Wednesday, December 17, on the banks of the Rusizi River, which separates the DRC and Burundi, in cornfields in the district of Cibitoke, western Burundi. The exact circumstances of their deaths remain unclear and have raised many questions among the local population.

The grim discovery was made around 4:00 p.m. on the 12th avenue, in Rusiga village, not far from the border with the DRC. According to residents, farmers returning from their fields were alerted by a strong, unusual odor.

Upon approaching, they discovered the four lifeless bodies. The security services were immediately informed. On site, the head of the Cibitoke zone arrived accompanied by a judicial police officer and Imbonerakure, members of the youth wing of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party.

Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the authorities proceeded with an immediate burial on site, in a mass grave. “We received orders to bury them here,” stated the zone chief. No identities have been established so far.

Persistent uncertainties

According to some local sources, the victims could be Wazalendo militiamen killed after entering the Burundian territory, possibly following clashes with Imbonerakure during an attempt to distribute goods they had taken while fleeing. This information has not yet been officially confirmed.

Nearly 4,000 Congolese soldiers, accompanied by Congolese and Rwandan militiamen, have sought refuge in Burundi in recent weeks, according to our sources. Since the beginning of December, more than 70,000 Congolese refugees fleeing violence in eastern DRC have been received in Burundi, including more than 45,000 in the Cibitoke region, which borders the DRC.

Local police indicate that investigations will be opened to identify the perpetrators of these killings and to determine the identities of the victims, despite the lack of identification on the bodies.

Residents are expressing deep concern and suspect that these people were killed while fleeing. They are demanding that the full truth be established regarding these deaths to shed light on the unanswered questions surrounding this case.