Kayanza, February 5, 2026 – A shocking and serious incident occurred at a mining site on Munege Hill, in the former Kabarore Commune (now Kayanza Commune), Butanyerera Province, where a 22-year-old civilian was shot dead by a police officer allegedly acting under the direct orders of an Imbonerakure. Outraged by what they describe as a premeditated killing, local residents have refused to bury the victim and are demanding truth and justice.
The victim, NDAYIZEYE Domitien, was working as an artisanal miner at the Munakavuvu mining site, located between Munege and Kivuvu hills. According to eyewitnesses, at around 11:00 a.m., his colleagues asked him to urgently go and shut off water that had suddenly flooded their working area after a reservoir upstream overflowed. Domitien immediately ran to close the water source.
At that moment, Abel AHISHAKIYE, an Imbonerakure in charge of security at the mining site, accused Domitien—without evidence—of stealing minerals and attempting to hide them. Without any attempt to question or search him, Abel allegedly ordered the police officer assigned to his protection, BIMENYIMANA Abasi, to shoot. The officer fired at close range, hitting Domitien in the chest. He died instantly.
Following the shooting, anger spread rapidly among fellow miners and residents. All mining activities were immediately halted. When some attempted to confront the police officer, Abel AHISHAKIYE reportedly threatened the crowd, warning that anyone who continued protesting would also be shot.
Witnesses strongly denounced the illegal and arbitrary use of lethal force, emphasizing that even in cases of suspected theft, no law authorizes the execution of a civilian. They further stressed that the victim was not fleeing and remained inside the mining site at all times.
Community Declaration Refusing the Burial
Gathered on Munege Hill, residents and co-workers of the deceased publicly declared their refusal to proceed with the burial of NDAYIZEYE Domitien until justice is served. In a collective statement, they declared:
“We refuse to bury our brother without truth and justice. Everything shows that this was a premeditated killing. He was simply going to shut off the water to prevent further damage at the site. He never left the workplace. How can they justify shooting him without questioning or searching him to verify whether he had any minerals? We demand that all those responsible for his death be held accountable before the law.”
According to the community, influential mining operators—including HATEGEKIMANA Révérien, known as Amstel, and UWIRAGIYE François, known as Mayondori, of COMEBU Company—attempted to pressure local authorities to force a swift burial. These efforts were firmly rejected by residents, who view them as an attempt to cover up the crime.
It should be recalled that Abel AHISHAKIYE, a former Imbonerakure leader in the ex-province of Kirundo, has been repeatedly accused of serious human rights abuses, including violence and killings targeting civilians. He is currently working with powerful mining interests that allegedly appointed him head of site security, provided him with a double-cabin vehicle, and assigned police officers to protect him.
As of now, the body of NDAYIZEYE Domitien remains at the morgue of the Kabarore Health Center. The population maintains its stance, stating that no burial will take place without an independent investigation, the establishment of the truth, and judicial proceedings against all those involved in this killing.