Amidist cries, screams, and fainting, hundreds of relatives and friends attended burrial of 19 victims of the Gatumba massacre in Burundi on Tuesday.
According to reports reaching Taarifa Investigative Desk, gunmen on the night of December 22, 2023 mercilessly attacked the neighbourhood of Gatumba, Mutimbuzi commune killing 19 people including women and children.
The area that was raided by armed men is located at Mutimbuzi commune, Bujumbura province, on the Burundi-Congolese border.
According to Burundi government, the attack was claimed by the rebel group RED-Tabara (Resistance for the Rule of Law in Burundi).
The burial ceremonies took place in Gatumba, Mutimbuzi commune, Bujumbura province.
A huge crowd gathered in front of the Gatumba Catholic church waiting for the arrival of the coffins.
Martin Ninteretse the Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Safety, arrived on site around 8:30 a.m. Other authorities joined him afterwards, including deputies, senators, etc.
On the faces, desolation could be read as mourners interacted in small groups. There was heavy presence of law enforcement and members of the Youth League affiliated with the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
It was finally around 10:30 a.m. that the first military vehicle arrived. On board, a few coffins. And the crowd started to move. Cries begun and heard on both sides. And it was time for the last tributes.
And to reassure the victims’ loved ones, the organizers took care to reopen each coffin. People were asking to see theirs with their own eyes before saying goodbye.
“You leave us orphans. … My child, they killed you for nothing. They must pay for this crime. Mom, who are you leaving me with? Why did they take your life? There you go, I’m left alone: all my parents, my brothers are leaving. What will I become ? …”, shouted the relatives.
In shock, some women or young girls could not even walk. They staggered before fainting. Other coffins arrived aboard a police vehicle, in all, 19 coffins.
Killing is not a solution
A requiem mass took place, under the aegis of Monsignor Anatole Ruberinyange, vicar of the archdiocese of Bujumbura.
“In any conflict, the answer is not to shed blood or take up arms, only the path of dialogue resolves problems peacefully. Killing is not a solution to problems. On the contrary, the killers reap the curse,” he said.
According to him, there is no possible justification for killing; “If you kill one or more people going so far as to commit a massacre, let it be known that this path is never a solution or never resolves the problems”.
And to implore the good Lord: “In the name of God, we implore you. Let no more blood be shed in this country, there has been enough.”
He said that, it is time for all burials of people to stop following the nameless killings in Burundi.
They will be hunted down, arrested and judged
After the requiem mass, burial took place at the Warubondo cemetery. In his remarks, Martin Ninteretse, Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security, declared that those who carried out this attack are terrorists.
According to him, they committed a crime against humanity, by killing children, babies, old people, pregnant women: “They no longer have a heart.”
He once again sent condolences to the affected families while promising that the government will do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators and accomplices of this tragedy.
“Whether they are in Burundi or abroad, they will be hunted down, arrested and judged.”
