Five Wazalendo killed, three civilians wounded : a hippopotamus at the center of a clash in Nyamitanga

SOS Médias Burundi

Nyamitanga, September 12, 2026—A hippopotamus shot in the Rusizi River, on the border between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), lies at the heart of a clash between Burundian soldiers and Wazalendo militiamen from the DRC. The exchange of fire, which took place on Thursday and Friday in the Ndava zone (Bukinanyana district, Bujumbura province, northwestern Burundi), left three civilians wounded and five Wazalendo militiamen dead, according to local authorities. This latest toll remains to be confirmed by independent sources.

The clashes also disrupted activities at the Nyamitanga market. “The Nyamitanga market was disrupted by the sound of gunfire this morning. Farmers from Zina and the surrounding areas who had come to sell their produce at the market dropped everything and fled. Gunshots could be heard even inside people’s homes,” a resident reported.

Nyamitanga, located a few kilometers from the Rusizi River, is a key commercial hub and a source of fuel supplies coming from the DRC. The gunfire sparked panic among traders, farmers, and other local residents.

The incident began on Thursday when Wazalendo militiamen fired at a hippopotamus located on the far side of the Rusizi, according to local sources. The animal was finally killed on Friday morning near Nyamitanga’s fourth avenue.

The militiamen then attempted to collect the dead animal. Burundian soldiers prevented them from doing so, triggering an exchange of fire between the two sides. According to the Ndava zone administration, a first civilian was wounded on Thursday, followed by two others who were hit around 5 a.m. on Friday. The three victims were in their fields in Nyamitanga village when they were struck by stray bullets.

Casualty figures for the Burundian Defense and Security Forces are unknown. Regarding the Wazalendo, local authorities report five deaths—a figure that remains to be confirmed by independent sources.

The hippopotamus, which had become the subject of the dispute between the two sides, was finally slaughtered on Saturday morning with the official authorization.

The Wazalendo militia are armed self-defense groups active in eastern DRC and backed by Kinshasa. They fight alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the Burundi National Defence Force (FDNB) in the war against the AFC-M23, a politico-military coalition active in the eastern Congo that controls several areas and has established a parallel administration there.

In some areas, the Wazalendo have gradually replaced or supplanted regular forces in control and defense operations. These groups are also accused by human rights organizations of serious abuses against civilians, including killings, sexual violence, and looting.

High tension has been reported in the area since the clashes at Nyamitanga. Both sides remain wary of one another across the Rusizi River.

In light of this situation, the Ndava administration is urging Nyamitanga residents to remain vigilant, particularly in the event of further gunfire. It is also advising them to stay away from exposed areas to avoid further casualties.