Gitega Province has reported a rising death toll, with two new bodies discovered on Wednesday, August 5. This grim discovery brings the total to a dozen people killed or found dead in the province in the ten days since July 26. Residents are demanding credible and independent investigations into the deaths amid growing concerns, noting the escalating insecurity in the region.
Recent Deaths Under Scrutiny
The body of Alexis Nduwimana, a 37-year-old agronomist, was discovered on Wednesday, August 5, on the Gasongati hill in Gishubi commune. According to a witness, Nduwimana was found hanged by a rope attached to the frame inside his house. Édouard Bizimana, who serves as the head of the Gasongati hill, confirmed the discovery and suggested suicide as a possible cause, linking it to occult beliefs prevalent in some communities. However, some residents of Gasongati strongly contest the suicide version of events. These residents suggest that Nduwimana may have been killed, and his body subsequently positioned to simulate suicide, raising serious questions about the circumstances of his death. Adding to the complexity, land disputes were also mentioned by some residents as a possible motive for Alexis Nduwimana's death, indicating potential foul play. Following its discovery, Alexis Nduwimana's body was transported to the morgue of the Espoir de Kibuye hospital for further examination.
Also on Wednesday, August 5, the body of 39-year-old Euphrème Tuyikeze was found near his home on Rukoba hill, located within Gitega commune and province. Georges Ishoboravyose, the head of Rukoba hill, offered a preliminary suggestion for the cause of Tuyikeze's death, positing a possible epilepsy crisis associated with drunkenness. The discovery of these two bodies on the same day shows the pressing issues of unexplained deaths in the province.
Broader Context of Violence
Gitega province is regularly cited among regions in Burundi where assassinations, disappearances, and discoveries of dead bodies are frequently reported. The human rights organization Ligue Iteka has classified Gitega as one of the provinces most significantly affected by human rights violations, drawing attention to the persistent pattern of violence. Concerns regarding cases of assassinations and the discovery of corpses in Gitega have been raised by several prominent bodies, both national and international. The Catholic bishops of Burundi have expressed alarm over the situation, adding their voices to the growing chorus of concern. Additionally, Fortuné Gaëtan Zongo, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burundi, has also noted these issues, showing the broader implications of the violence occurring in the province and the need for thorough investigations.
Official Reactions and Demands
In response to the critical stances from religious bodies, President Évariste Ndayishimiye has publicly accused Catholic bishops of maintaining critical positions towards the government. His comments follow a broader pattern of concern from religious and international bodies regarding human rights in Gitega province, particularly concerning the rising death toll. The Catholic bishops of Burundi previously expressed alarm over the situation in the province, where numerous assassinations, disappearances, and discoveries of dead bodies have been reported. Their concerns align with observations from Fortuné Gaëtan Zongo, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burundi, who also noted the significant issues of violence in the region, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these human rights challenges. The repeated calls for credible and independent investigations from residents and human rights organizations highlight the urgent need for transparency and accountability in Gitega Province.