Strengthened military patrols, overnight patrols by the population, residents of Nyamitanga area in Cibitoke province are gripped by fear. They are afraid of the attack of armed groups from the DRC.
“We are afraid attackers will come back,” say residents of Nyamitanga area, Buganda Commune in Cibitoke Province, north-western Burundi.
Buganda residents filled with fear
Groups of unidentified armed people from the DRC attacked the military position on 20 October. Located at 50 km from Bujumbura City, Nyamitanga is separated from the Democratic Republic of Congo by the Rusizi River. Since the attack took place, this area is rife with rumors and suspicions.
“It seems that attackers left a writing saying that they will return to get back their weapons that the Burundian army seized during the clash,” says Joselyne, aged 30 and a mother of 3 children.
Pierre, in his twenties, explains why people have fear. “There are rumblings that they will come back and that this time, they will attack the population like what happened in Ruhagarika.”
As a reminder, the Ruhagarika massacre that remains in the memory of people caused the death of 26 people when a group of armed people from the DRC attacked on May 12. “It’s difficult to keep calm against these rumors under these conditions,” said Joseph, a resident of Ndava area.
In addition, Ndava residents come under suspicion. Concile, in her thirties, says that since the attack took place, inhabitants are wary. For them, there is no doubt; armed people are informed by people on the spot. “We think they’ve planned everything with the help of people living here. They came knowing when, where and how to attack. ”
According to another inhabitant who prefers anonymity, the inhabitants of the region suspect each other and it is difficult to trust each other. “Soldiers told us that in case of attack, they will not die alone. They say they will enter people’s houses arguing they are informants of the armed groups. ”
The army reinforced
The authorities seem to have taken the threat seriously, as evidenced by the security measures taken. The Burundian army has strengthened its base in the region. Three new military tents have been erected.
“Before, the military base was occupied by young soldiers, newly recruited. They have been replaced by experienced soldiers, more numerous and more experienced in fighting, “said a local authority. Civilians conduct overnight patrols in addition to the police.
“We are multiplying meetings to sensitize the population to the strengthening of their security, alerting security forces and transmitting any useful information in case of threat,” said Emmanuel Bigirimana, administrator of Buganda commune.
A local authority met at the office of Buganda commune indicates that this is not enough. According to him, Cibitoke province will remain in danger as long as rebel groups are based in South Kivu region. “People are right to be afraid given the heavy weapons these armed people were carrying in the last attack.”
“It’s true that they are rebel groups trained in Rwanda, who attack from the DRC,” says another local authority.
Another official calls for the strengthening of the intelligence service outside Burundi borders. “The warning can come from a Congolese living along the Rusizi River. We need just to give them phones. ”
The Burundian army spokesman refutes the allegations that Burundian rebels are based in South Kivu.
According to him, these are armed robbers based in the DRC who enter the Burundian territory to loot the houses. Floribert Biyereke reassures the Burundian population and indicates that the security situation is under control.
Written by Agnès Ndirubusa, translated by
Lorraine Josiane Manishatse
IWACU Open Data
