Tanzanian authorities destroyed bridges that separate Tanzania and Burundi on Tuesday. Local residents in the district of Giteranyi, Muyinga province (northeast Burundi) speak of an operation in which gunmen in Tanzanian army uniform participated.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Bridges that were demolished lead to localities of Kabogo and Shoza in the district of Giteranyi, first.

« Before the destruction of these bridges, we noticed a gathering of small groups. Among the people we saw, there were many who were in Tanzanian army uniform, armed with rifles, » a resident of Kabogo village told SOS Médias Burundi. According to him, the operation began around 8 a.m.

On this side, no natural obstacle serves as a border between Burundi and Tanzania.

« We were not informed of this demolition. People were surprised because no one was authorized to go to the Tanzanian side, » said a local councilor in Shoza.

The district administration says it learned that the operation was motivated by security reasons.

« Tanzanian authorities say that the coming and going movements of Burundians, especially at night, worry them, » said Floride Nduwayezu, district administrator of Giteranyi.

Other local sources revealed that the action is the result of a certain collaboration between Burundian and Tanzanian criminals.

According to sources close to Tanzanian authorities, the same operation should extend to the localities of Murama and Kobero, respectively in the district of Muyinga and Butihinda.

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Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan greet each other during a summit of EAC heads of state in Bujumbura (SOS Médias Burundi)