Background Briefing

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Abuses by the FNL since the Establishment of the New Government

The Muyira meeting notwithstanding, continuing skirmishes during October seem to indicate that an important part of the FNL, if not the majority, continues to follow Rwasa’s command and control.11 FNL combatants have even sought to move the hostilities southward from provinces near the capital (Bujumbura-rurale, Cibitoke, Bubanza and Kayanza) to Makamba province and to Rumonge commune, Bururi province.12

As in the past, FNL combatants targeted officials and others they believed to be linked to the government. According to local witnesses, the FNL are known to decapitate victims and/or sever limbs and leave corpses in public places. This is thought to be a warning to those in the community that they should not cooperate with the government forces.13 Local witnesses and military officials also state that the FNL occasionally leave written messages nearby corpses, which state that those who help or support the government will be treated similarly.14

In Musugi hill, Kanyosha commune, Bujumbura-rurale province, local witnesses report that the FNL killed two civilians who lived near a military position and had worked collecting food and water for the soldiers. Both were found decapitated on October 26.15 According to government officials, Laurent Ntibarushatse, an elected hill-level leader from Gitenga, Kabezi commune in the same province, was killed by the FNL on October 28.16 Arthémon Ntahondereye, a local official in Kanyosha commune, was found dead on Buhina hill on October 7, with one of his arms severed. Local witnesses believe that the FNL combatants assassinated him.17 Military officials report that six people in the same family were killed by the FNL in Mutambu commune, Bujumbura Rural Province on the night of October 30.18 In other killings attributed to the FNL, a candidate running for councilor in hill-level elections was killed with two members of his family on September 22 in Mugina commune, Cibitoke province, and five civilians— several of them demobilized FDD combatants—were killed in Bubanza province in late September.19 Human Rights Watch could not independently verify that the FNL were responsible for all of these killings.

FNL combatants also reportedly burned homes in four different communities in Kayanza province and stole cows, goats, and household goods in early October. They are also accused of injuring six people in an ambush and stealing their property. According to press accounts, witnesses said that most of the perpetrators were under 18 years old.20



[11] Human Rights Watch interviews, Bujumbura, October 11, 2005, and Kanyosha commune, Bujumbura-rurale province, October 14, 2005.

[12] Agence Burundaise de Presse, “Assassinat du chef de secteur de Muhuzu en commune Rumonge,” November 2, 2005, and Agence Burundaise de Presse, “La sécurité reste une préoccupation permanente des autorités,” October 11, 2005.

[13] Human Rights Watch interview, Bujumbura-rurale province, October 28, 2005.

[14] Human Rights Watch interview, Kanyosha Commune, Bujumbura-rurale province, October 28, and Bujumbura, October 31, 2005.

[15] Human Rights Watch interviews, Kanyosha commune, Bujumbura-rurale province, October 28, and Bujumbura, October 29, 2005.

[16] Human Rights Watch interview, Bujumbura-rurale province, October 31, 2005.

[17] Human Rights Watch interview, Kanyosha commune, Bujumbura-rurale province, October 14, 2005.

[18] Human Rights Watch interview, Bujumbura, October 31, 2005.

[19] Agence Burundaise de Presse, “Les Burundais ont voté sans passion pour les conseils de collines,” September 24, 2005; and BBC Monitoring Africa, “Burundi: Rebels said targeting demobilized, forcing contributions,” September 29, 2005. According to Ligue Iteka, the Burundian human rights association, FNL combatants have killed some twenty civilians since early September.

[20] Agence Burundaise de Presse, “Six personnes blessées dans une embuscade sur la route Bukeye-Matongo,” October 3, 2005.


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