Landslides, soil collapses, and widening ravines are devastating areas from Cibitoke to the mountains overlooking Bujumbura, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Habitations and cultivated lands have been destroyed by the landslide on Rusiga hill, prompting urgent calls for aid from affected communities and local authorities. In Kamesa, Musaga zone, Mugere commune, landslides have caused homes, palm oil trees, and fruit trees to collapse into an expanding ravine, illustrating the immediate threat to both dwellings and agricultural resources. This particular area faces a direct threat to public infrastructure, including vital roads that connect communities and facilitate trade, and installations belonging to Regideso, the national utility company, which are key for providing essential services such as water and electricity. The widespread destruction across these regions notes the significant impact on both residential areas and agricultural livelihoods, threatening the stability and sustenance of numerous families.
The scale of the disaster is extensive, with vital agricultural lands being swallowed by the advancing earth. Rice fields, sorghum fields, and numerous mango trees, key for the local economy and food security, have been engulfed by the landslide, representing a substantial loss for farmers. This loss directly impacts the sustenance of families and the economic viability of agricultural communities. Additionally, infrastructure critical for cultivation has not been spared; irrigation canals built by benefactors, designed to support agricultural productivity, have been partially destroyed across the affected areas, further impeding recovery efforts and future harvests. The destruction of these canals adds another layer of complexity to the agricultural challenges, as their repair or replacement will be essential for restoring productivity.
Widespread Destruction and Displacement
On Rusiga hill, Cibitoke commune, a landslide has engulfed approximately ten hectares of land, according to local reports, rendering vast tracts of once-productive land unusable. This significant loss of land has immediate and long-term implications for the local economy and food security. Residents in Murambi, also within Cibitoke commune, near the Nyamagana river, have also experienced significant destruction of both their fields and homes, forcing many to confront the loss of their primary assets. The impact extends beyond individual properties, affecting entire communities and disrupting established ways of life.
In Gikungu-rural, Gihosha zone, Ntahangwa commune, a large ravine has caused substantial losses of infrastructure and land, including homes and public facilities. This situation has compelled numerous families to relocate from the affected area, seeking safety and new places to rebuild their lives. Further distress is reported near the Rusizi river, where local residents remain on alert as the advancing landslide threatens their fields and homes, creating an atmosphere of constant apprehension. The looming danger to these communities is not merely immediate; there is a substantial risk of blocking the Rusizi river if urgent mitigation work is not initiated, a development that could lead to the loss of land critical for cotton and banana cultivation, impacting regional agricultural output significantly. The potential obstruction of the river poses a catastrophic environmental and economic threat, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
Roots of the Crisis
The landslide phenomenon on Rusiga hill, which began in the 1990s, gained significant momentum in 2002, according to local observations and historical accounts. This initial period of activity, while concerning, did not immediately trigger widespread alarm. However, the situation on Rusiga hill then began to worsen significantly in 2022, marking a new phase of intense and rapid degradation. This accelerating phenomenon is attributed by some residents to the emergence of a small water source, which subsequently led to the formation of crevasses and large-scale landslides, weakening the soil structure and increasing its susceptibility to collapse. The presence of this water source, combined with the fragile geological conditions, created a perfect storm for the escalating land instability.
Beyond natural factors, human activities are also cited as contributing to the escalating crisis. Illegal and anarchic gold extraction activities in the Nyamagana river or its basin are cited as a contributing factor to the escalating landslides across the region. These unregulated mining practices can destabilize riverbanks and surrounding land, exacerbating the natural erosion processes. The disruption of natural drainage patterns and the removal of stabilizing vegetation further compound the problem, making the land more vulnerable to collapse. In Kamesa, the landslides pose a direct threat to public infrastructure, including vital roads that connect communities and facilitate trade, and installations belonging to Regideso, the national utility company, which are key for providing essential services such as water and electricity. The potential disruption to these services adds another layer of urgency to the situation, threatening basic utilities for thousands of residents.
Local Struggles and State Intervention
Bosco Niyingabire, communication advisor for Cibitoke commune, confirmed the administration's long-standing awareness of the landslide issue and the significant material damage it has caused. He acknowledged the severe challenges faced by the local government in addressing such a widespread and complex natural disaster. The natural disasters have profoundly impacted residents like Gaspard Ndikubwayo, 62, a father of eight, who was forced to leave his home and now rents land for cultivation, a stark example of the displacement and economic hardship endured by many. Ndikubwayo recounted the phenomenon's history, stating, "En fait, le phénomène a commencé dans les années 90. Mais, ce n’était pas encore inquiétant. On pensait que ce mouvement va s’arrêter. Voilà qu’en 2002, le phénomène a pris de l’ampleur," noting the gradual escalation of the problem. He further explained his family's decision to relocate: "Nous avons pris le large. Car, on pensait qu’un jour, nous risquions de subir le même sort que nos maisons, nos cultures, etc. " showing the fear and uncertainty that drove their difficult choice.
Another father in Mugoboka, who had constructed a house using a loan, also lost his home to a landslide before he could repay the credit and is now renting accommodation, a poignant illustration of how the disaster can plunge families into financial distress and homelessness. This individual's plight notes the devastating ripple effect of the landslides, transforming personal aspirations into profound financial burdens. Despite the increasing destruction and the profound impact on its citizens, the Cibitoke commune lacks sufficient technical and financial means to effectively intervene and halt the advancing landslides. This resource deficit severely limits their capacity to implement necessary mitigation measures or provide adequate support to the displaced. In the face of these overwhelming challenges, the administration urges the population to remain calm, attributing the events to natural phenomena rather than supernatural causes, seeking to prevent panic and misinformation within the affected communities. This call for calm, however, does not diminish the urgent need for full intervention and support to address the ongoing devastation and provide tangible assistance to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.