Burundi : Bruce Sebanza dies at the ADB, its director general named as the person who reported a death disguised as a death at home

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, October 20, 2026 — An administrative certificate stating that Bruce Sebanza, an official at the Burundi Development Agency (ADB), died at home, while in fact his death occurred at the agency’s offices in Bujumbura, the commercial capital, raises new questions. The document names the ADB’s director general, Dr. Révérien Nizigiyimana, as the person who reported the death. The wording is particularly striking given that the victim’s residence was located in another part of the city.

Consulted by SOS Médias Burundi, the certificate bears the signature of Astère Ndayikeje, head of the Gihosha zone in northern Bujumbura. It states that Bruce Sebanza died “at home (on the ADB premises)” on October 13, 2026. According to sources close to the case, the document’s authenticity has been confirmed.

However, according to information gathered by SOS Médias Burundi, Bruce Sebanza resided at number 24 Fourth Avenue, in the Mutakura neighborhood, north of Bujumbura. The ADB office, on the other hand, is located in the Mutanga Nord neighborhood, also north of the commercial capital. Since the two addresses are distinct, the wording of the certificate, which equates the ADB premises with the victim’s residence, raises questions about the circumstances under which the document was drawn up and the information used to draft it.

Another point of interest is that the Director General of the ADB, Révérien Nizigiyimana, is himself listed as the person who reported the death. His name had already been mentioned in testimonies concerning the events preceding Bruce Sebanza’s death. This mention alone does not constitute proof of responsibility for the death, but it necessitates a rigorous examination of his role and the information he possessed.

In a previous article, SOS Médias Burundi reported testimonies raising questions about the role of those in charge present at the time of the events and the circumstances under which Bruce Sebanza allegedly suffered violence. These testimonies, combined with the questions raised by the statement, call for independent judicial investigations.

The issuance of this certificate comes as the National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH) has called for investigations to shed light on this case. This administrative document cannot replace a judicial inquiry aimed at reconstructing the facts, determining the exact causes of death, and establishing any potential liability.

Judicial authorities are now expected to demonstrate their ability to conduct thorough, independent, and impartial investigations. They will notably have to clarify the circumstances of Bruce Sebanza’s death, verify the conditions under which the certificate was issued, and interview individuals who may be able to provide information useful in establishing the truth.

Beyond the wording used in the document, a central question remains: why are the ADB premises presented as Bruce Sebanza’s place of residence when his address was in Mutakura, not Mutanga Nord? Only a thorough investigation will establish the reasons for this designation, verify the accuracy of the information recorded in the certificate, and determine any potential responsibilities in this matter.