Burundi – impunity in Buhumuza : an elderly man beaten by Imbonerakure after criticizing the government

SOS Médias Burundi

Buhumuza, July 5, 2025 – A sexagenarian man was violently attacked by youths affiliated with the ruling party after denouncing electoral fraud. The case outraged the local population and raised concerns about growing impunity in Buhumuza province.

Venerand Mvuyekure, 67 years old, father of six, was violently attacked on June 29, 2025, in Musumba village, Kabanga zone, Gisuru district, by a group of youths affiliated with the Imbonerakure league, the youth wing of the ruling party, the CNDD-FDD.

According to an eyewitness, Mr. Mvuyekure was dragged from a wedding ceremony at his neighbor’s house and then forcibly taken about thirty meters from the venue. There, he was severely beaten. The victim had visible injuries, as well as bleeding from the mouth and nose, suggesting internal hemorrhaging. He was hospitalized for two days in Kinyinya before returning home, where he continues a difficult recovery.

According to local sources, his health remains worrying. Mvuyekure suffers from persistent pain in his head and spine. His alleged attackers have been formally identified : Anaclet Nsengiyumva (Imbonerakure leader in Musumba village), Jean Katihabwa (local CNDD-FDD representative), Célestin Hakizimana (local vice-president of the same party), as well as Ezechiel Ndayishimiye and Charles Ndizeye.

The attackers also allegedly stole an estimated 40,000 Burundi francs in cash, as well as the victim’s shoes. According to Mvuyekure, this attack was politically motivated : he is accused of denouncing electoral fraud and calling CNDD-FDD voters “inkorokoro,” a pejorative insult. He firmly rejects these accusations and claims to have been targeted because of his loyalty to opposition politician Agathon Rwasa.

Despite the seriousness of the events and the identification of the alleged perpetrators, no arrests have yet been made. The accused continue to move freely, fueling a deep sense of impunity and insecurity in the neighborhood. The victim is expressly requesting protection and demanding justice.

When contacted, the Musumba village chief, Jean Marie Claude Nyandwi, confirmed the attack. According to him, Venerand Mvuyekure was indeed beaten, accused of insulting CNDD-FDD members.

The Imbonerakure, a militia in the spotlight at the United Nations

The CNDD-FDD youth league, the Imbonerakure, is regularly accused of committing acts of intimidation, violence, and targeted attacks against political opponents and citizens critical of the regime. Several reports by the United Nations and human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, refer to the Imbonerakure as a “militia” and hold them responsible for numerous abuses throughout the country, particularly during election periods.

Despite these repeated denunciations, the Burundian government continues to present the Imbonerakure as a simple youth organization engaged in community development activities. Outrage from human rights defenders

The attack on Venerand Mvuyekure was also strongly condemned by a human rights defender based in the region.
“We are deeply concerned by the increasing number of acts of violence targeting people who dare to express dissenting opinions. Impunity in this case is unacceptable, and we demand the immediate opening of an independent investigation,” reacted a member of a local human rights organization, speaking on condition of anonymity, contacted by SOS Médias Burundi.