The Commission for Truth and Reconciliation (CVR) launched a new phase of restituting confiscated properties on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, beginning in Bujumbura, the Burundian capital. This significant undertaking marks a key step in the country's ongoing efforts toward transitional justice. During this initial phase, four houses and plots located in the Kiriri, Gihosha, Bwiza, and Ngagara neighborhoods were successfully returned to their rightful owners, addressing long-standing grievances related to property confiscation. The CVR operates under the legal framework established by Article 14 and 15 of law n°1/11 of May 28, 2024, which provides its mandate and outlines its operational procedures for resolving such complex historical disputes.
Specific Restitution Cases
Several specific cases highlight the careful work undertaken by the CVR in this new phase. In the upscale Kiriri neighborhood, Laetitia Ndayizeye, representing the family of former minister Léonard Ncahoruri, received a house and an accompanying plot of land. This particular case involved the family of Léonard Ncahoruri and the company Old East, which was represented by Tariq Bashir during the restitution process. The CVR's intervention provided a definitive resolution to this long-standing property dispute.
Another notable restitution occurred in the Bwiza neighborhood, where Jean Bosco Barutwanayo, representing the family of Pascal Rusuguru, received a plot and houses located at 9th Avenue No. 1. The Bwiza case saw the family of Pascal Rusuguru opposed to the family of Denis Haraganje, a dispute that the CVR successfully navigated to achieve a resolution.
Further restitution concerned a plot in Gikungu, situated within the Gihosha zone. This case involved a dispute between the families of Jean Mpomere and Jean Kanyarushatsi. Dieudonné Barampama, representing the family of Jean Mpomere, received a portion of this plot in Gikungu, bringing an end to their claim. The Commission for Truth and Reconciliation (CVR) also noted the successful implementation of transitional justice measures through an amicable settlement in a separate case involving the family of Richard Mbonimpa and the family of Gaudence Nzeyimana. Jeanne Françoise Nahimana represented the family of Richard Mbonimpa during these proceedings, showing the CVR's commitment to facilitating peaceful and consensual resolutions where possible.
CVR's Authority and Process
The Commission for Truth and Reconciliation (CVR) operates with significant legal authority in its restitution efforts, a cornerstone of its mission to foster national reconciliation. Its decisions concerning property disputes are designated as final, according to the commission's operational framework. These rulings are not subject to appeal in conventional courts, a critical provision that shows the CVR's mandate to deliver definitive and irreversible resolutions in reconciliation processes. This finality aims to prevent prolonged legal battles over historical injustices related to property, which could otherwise hinder the path to peace. The CVR's role includes not only identifying rightful owners but also facilitating the return of confiscated properties, with its judgments carrying irreversible legal weight within Burundi's justice system. This strong approach is central to the commission's objective of achieving lasting peace and reconciliation through effective transitional justice mechanisms, ensuring that past wrongs are addressed with impartiality and finality.