Burundi: Unidentified gunmen carry out attack in Bugarama (Rumonge province) August 23-24

Event

Unidentified gunmen carried out an attack in Bugarama (Rumonge province) between Sunday, August 23, and Monday, August 24. A resident stated that the gunmen kidnapped ten people and executed them before they engaged in fighting with the army, during which five attackers were killed. The Red Tabara militant group, based in South Kivu (Democratic Republic of the Congo), claimed responsibility for the attack on social media; however, this has not been verified. A senior government official claimed that the attack, which occurred during local elections, was potentially linked to the first repatriation of Burundian refugees from Rwanda.

A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are anticipated in the area over the coming hours.

Advice

Those in the area are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the area of the incident, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.