Bujumbura : the army deployed to secure the border and coveted gold

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, August 8, 2025 – Two Burundian soldiers were killed and two others were injured during a clash in the Kibira natural reserve, between Mugina and Bukinanyana districts, in the new Bujumbura province (west). The incident, which occurred during the night of July 16-17, is believed to be linked to a dispute over illegal gold mining in this border area with Rwanda.

According to security sources, the killed soldiers were part of a detachment officially tasked with securing this border area. In reality, they were themselves involved in clandestine ore mining on Natwana hill, a gold-rich site. It was when a subgroup of soldiers attempted to seize a large quantity of ore where an exchange of fire broke out.

“Two soldiers were killed instantly, two others were injured,” confirms a local military source.

Growing tensions between soldiers on the ground

Natwana hill is not an isolated case. Illegal mining sites are also reportedly active in the Barrière, Rutabo, Gafumbegeti, Giserama, Nderama, Ruhembe, and Ruhororo sub-villages. According to several concordant sources, soldiers have set up unofficial posts there, operating out of sight of the administration and the local population.

“We still thought we were operating against the FLN, Rwandan rebels. But in reality, the trenches we’re discovering today are gold pits illegally exploited by our own men,” confided a visibly bitter soldier deployed in the area.

Orders from above, a silent hierarchy

According to a local army official in Kibira, the order to search for minerals did not come from the field. It was apparently given by high-ranking officers based in Bujumbura, where the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB) headquarters is located, who themselves organize the transport of the collected gold.

“We receive nothing. It’s the leaders who are enriching themselves,” several soldiers complained anonymously, claiming they are forced to hand over the found gold to their superiors.

Legal gold miners smothered, the administration silent

The leaders of legally constituted gold mining cooperatives say they are powerless in the face of this situation. In possession of official documents, they claim to have tried to alert the administration, without success.

“As soon as we speak out, we are accused of trying to sow disorder.” “Everyone is afraid,” says a local gold miner, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Interviewed by SOS Médias Burundi, the administrators and officers of the districts concerned are evasive :

“These are unidentified groups illegally mining gold. We are looking for them,” they cautiously declare.

Organized looting under the guise of security

Meanwhile, illegal gold mining continues in the Kibira natural reserve. Officially a protected and strategic area, it has now become a scene of hidden enrichment within the armed forces themselves. Lives have been lost, and everything is taking place in a heavy silence, with no open investigation or announced sanctions.

“This is an organized looting of national resources, under the pretext of security operations,” concludes a local civil society actor.