Cibitoke : three bodies found on the banks of the Rusizi River

SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, January 27, 2026 – The lifeless bodies of a man, a woman, and a child were discovered Tuesday morning on the banks of the Rusizi River, near the border between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the locality of Gatoki, Rukana village and zone, Cibitoke district, Bujumbura province, in the west of the country. Authorities suggest it was a tragic attempt at a clandestine crossing.

Grim discovery in Gatoki

According to information gathered by SOS Médias Burundi, fishermen spotted bodies floating in the Rusizi River early Tuesday morning, January 27, while searching for fish. They immediately alerted Burundian security forces stationed at a border observation post.

The military, in turn, informed the local administrative authorities, who went to the scene to conduct an investigation. The bodies, not yet identified, were in an advanced state of decomposition, making their transfer to a morgue impossible. They were buried on site, on the banks of the Rusizi River, on the instructions of the competent authorities.

The Rusizi River forms a natural border between Burundi and the DRC.

A clandestine crossing that turns tragic

Security sources indicate that the victims were Congolese nationals. They reportedly attempted to cross the Rusizi River illegally when the strong current swept them away. No identification documents were found on the bodies.

In response to this tragedy, the administrative and security authorities reiterate that crossing the Rusizi River is strictly prohibited, especially since, at this time of year, the river is swollen and presents a serious risk of fatal accidents. They also insist on the strict prohibition of unauthorized cross-border movements into the DRC.

A province marked by the discovery of bodies

This latest discovery comes amid a worrying security situation. Around fifteen bodies have been found in Bujumbura province since December 2025, according to a count by SOS Médias Burundi.

In its annual report on the human rights situation in Burundi, the Iteka League, a pioneering human rights organization in Burundi, recently indicated that Bujumbura province is among the deadliest areas in the small east African nation, with numerous corpses regularly found in rivers, bush, or fields.