Mabayi : three men profiting greatly from the presence of Rwandan rebels arrested

Three men from the district of Mabayi in the province of Cibitoke (northwest Burundi) were arrested last Saturday. They are suspected of profiting greatly from the presence of Rwandan rebels installed in the Kibira natural reserve, which Burundian authorities maintain. Other people are reportedly wanted for the same facts, according to our sources. The district administration confirmed this triple arrest. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The three individuals were arrested on the orders of the district administration, according to administration and security sources.

Reasons

For years, Rwandan rebels have been installed in the Kibira natural reserve which extends to neighboring Rwanda to become the Nyungwe forest. Their presence is known by Burundian authorities who have even recently asked leaders of the opposing factions to come and reconcile in Burundi.

To survive, Rwandan rebels are forced to buy supplies from the local market, especially in Cibitoke province. Since last September, residents have been denouncing the lack of already very expensive food in the markets. The collaborators, traders and intermediaries of these rebels favor the latter who buy at a very good price because they have a lot of means that they get from the sale of gold illegally mined in the Kibira forest.

“Currently, a kg of cassava flour, rice, beans and corn flour sells for 1300 francs, 5200, 4500 and 2500 but among the rebels, these foodstuffs are respectively sold, for the same quantity at 8000, 15000, between 13000 and 15000, and at 10000 francs”, say local sources.

In the district of Mabayi and the neighboring one of Bukinanyana, incidents are often reported between these rebels and members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the Imbonerakure who collaborate with them. Recently in Bukinanyana, three Imbonerakure were killed after joining these Rwandans. Last year it was a leader of the Imbonerakure in Mabayi who was killed by the same rebels.

According to a military source, 87 other people are wanted for the same facts. 58 are from the district of Bukinanyana, 29 others are from Mabayi.

Jeanne Izomporera, the district administrator of Mabayi confirmed the arrest of these three men whose identity has not been revealed. She says she is collaborating with her counterpart from Bukinanyana, the security representatives in the region so that all those suspected in this case are arrested in the two districts.

In addition to the lack of food caused by these Rwandan rebels on the local market, households in the border areas with Kibira denounce thefts and raids of which they are often victims.