Mugina: Leaflets calling for the lynching of alleged witches

For two weeks, leaflets have been circulating in the commune of Mugina, in the province of Cibitoke (north-west Burundi), inciting violence against people accused of witchcraft. Faced with this alarming situation, the governor of the province called a meeting to warn against lynchings and to remind people of the penalties incurred. However, according to local sources, a plan for targeted assassinations is already in preparation. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

In the commune of Mugina, Cibitoke province, in north-west Burundi, leaflets inciting violence against people accused of witchcraft have been circulating for two weeks. These documents, which explicitly threaten 28 residents of Bwayi hill, in the Buseruko zone, accuse them of having caused the death of at least ten people by poisoning.

Faced with this worrying situation, the governor of Cibitoke, Carême Bizoza, held a meeting with the local population on Thursday, January 30, 2025. He firmly warned against any attempt at mob justice, recalling that those who attack others based on simple accusations of witchcraft would be exposed to heavy sanctions in accordance with the law. He also urged local administrators and all residents to preserve peace and security.

However, according to local sources on condition of anonymity, a large sum of money has already been collected to finance targeted assassinations. Imbonerakure, members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the presidential party, have been designated to carry out these dirty works against people accused of witchcraft.

This climate of terror is not new in the region. In the last five months, at least 12 elderly people have been murdered for the same reasons on several hills, including Bwayi, Nyamakarabo, Nyempundu, Kagurutsi and Rubona.