Tanzania : a Burundian refugee found beheaded near Nduta camp

Horror has once again struck the Nduta refugee camp in Tanzania. Rémy Ndayikeza, a Burundian refugee in his thirties, was found dead and mutilated after disappearing with two other companions about two weeks ago. His decomposing body was discovered in a nearby village, confirming fears of an organized crime.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to testimonies collected, Rémy and his companions had gone outside the camp to buy cattle. But what was supposed to be a simple business transaction turned into a nightmare. A survivor, seriously injured, was able to return to the camp and give testimony.

“We were beaten and injured after they robbed us of all our money.” The group was ambushed by men armed with machetes and clubs. This testimony helped direct the search to a village called Mubanga, where the gruesome discovery took place.

A mutilated body and a controversial burial

When the refugees and police arrived at the scene, they discovered the lifeless body of Rémy Ndayikeza in an advanced state of decomposition.

“Several parts of his body were cut up and scattered a few meters away. We had to gather them together to identify him,” confided a witness.

Given the state of the body, the police decided to immediately bury the victim on site, sparking outrage among his family. His wife categorically refused to attend the funeral, demanding that her husband be buried in the camp, with his family. But neither the UNHCR nor the Tanzanian authorities have taken any steps to repatriate the body, a fact strongly criticized by the refugee community.

Organized crime and growing concerns

The criminals’ modus operandi suggests a premeditated murder. The camp’s butchers believe the victims were lured into an ambush by individuals posing as cattle dealers.

“It was an organized and planned crime,” they denounce.

The other two missing men remain unaccounted for, and hopes of finding them alive are fading.

“If only we could find their bodies, it would be a relief,” confides a shocked refugee.

Urgent calls for better protection

This tragedy adds to a surge in violence against Burundian refugees in Tanzania. The Nduta camp, which hosts more than 58,000 people, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to external attacks.

Faced with this growing climate of insecurity, refugees are calling for increased protection and a thorough investigation to find the perpetrators of this atrocious crime. “Tanzania and the UNHCR must assume their responsibility and ensure our security,” pleads a community leader.

As the investigation continues, anxiety remains palpable within the camp. Many fear that impunity will only encourage further attacks, endangering the lives of thousands of refugees who had hoped to find refuge away from the violence they fled.

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A Burundian refugee in front of his home in Nduta ©️ SOS Médias Burundi