Two gold miners were killed and three others were seriously injured during military training conducted by the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, March 25, in Cishemere, has renewed concerns about the militarization of these youth groups and the risks to the civilian population.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to witnesses, the young Imbonerakure were participating in military exercises supervised by elements of the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB) and fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The fire from heavy and light weapons caused panic among the surrounding population.

The miners were working at a gold mining site near the Cishemere firing range, less than three kilometers from the center of Cibitoke (northwestern Burundi). Stray bullets and shrapnel fatally injured two artisanal miners, while three others were injured and evacuated to a local hospital.

The Imbonerakure, a militia according to the UN

The Imbonerakure, often presented as a simple youth movement of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party, are described by the United Nations as a militia involved in abuses against opponents of the Gitega regime. For several years, they have been cited in numerous acts of repression, intimidation, and attacks targeting political dissidents, journalists, and members of the civil society.

Reports from international organizations also indicate that they are engaged alongside Burundian forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They are reportedly accompanying the FDNB in ​​military operations alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and their allied militias in the conflict against the M23 rebels.

Burundian authorities and representatives of the CNDD-FDD, the former Hutu rebel group in power since 2005, systematically reject these accusations. They denounce them as « lies » aimed at « tarnishing the image of the Imbonerakure, the country, and its institutions. »

Controversial military exercises

These military training sessions are raising fears among residents, who denounce the proximity of the shooting sessions to residential areas and workplaces. According to a local security source, these training sessions are preparing young Burundians for possible deployment alongside the FARDC in their fight against the M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The commander of the 112th Battalion of the Cibitoke camp confirmed the deaths, while describing the incident as « isolated. » He stated that preventive measures are regularly taken to avoid the presence of civilians near the firing range. However, he denied any involvement of the Imbonerakure in these exercises, despite consistent testimonies and statements from some young people who participated in the maneuvers.

A heavy death toll in six months

The Cishemere incident adds to a series of fatal accidents linked to military training in the region. Over the past six months, eight people, including six children, have died after being hit by projectiles or undetonated explosive devices.

Residents, concerned for their safety, are demanding an immediate halt to these training exercises near homes, work areas, and the Congolese refugee transit site. They are also calling for an independent investigation to determine responsibility and prevent further loss of life.

Faced with this situation, the civil society and human rights defenders are calling on the authorities to address the growing militarization of the Imbonerakure and the dangers this poses to the country’s stability and the protection of civilians.

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Imbonerakure in a military parade in Cibitoke (SOS Médias Burundi)