On February 22, 2025, we reported on the tragic death of NSHIMIRIMANA Léonard, a citizen who was allegedly brutally killed by members of the Imbonerakure, together with local officials from Bumba Hill, Camazi Zone, Gisagara Commune.
Immediately after the incident, the Imbonerakure involved were arrested and detained, while the administrative officials mentioned in the case were not taken into custody. This situation sparked outrage among local residents, who demanded that those officials also be arrested and questioned regarding the death. According to consistent testimonies, they reportedly accompanied the Imbonerakure during the victim’s arrest at his home, before he was allegedly taken to a forest, killed, and thrown into a pit.
The previous article regarding this case is available here: 28-Year-Old Man Killed After Arrest by Local Officials and Imbonerakure in Cankuzo – KUF-ASBL
🔶 Release of the Imbonerakure
What has deeply shocked residents is that on March 20, 2025, the Imbonerakure who had been detained at the Cankuzo police station were released and returned home.
Those released are:
• NTAKIMUSUZUMBA Casimir, head of the Imbonerakure on Bumba Hill;
• NKUNZIMANA Athanase, Imbonerakure leader of Kumuka sub-hill (agacimbiri);
• BIZIMANA Déo, nicknamed Bambara, responsible for local mobilization activities on the hill.
According to witnesses, upon their release, they were welcomed by numerous other Imbonerakure who had gathered to receive them. The group reportedly sang celebratory and defiant songs, including the chant:
“Urunwarunwa ni ruhere… Mu bagabo, mu bagore, mu misore n’inkumi ni ruhere… urunwa runwa ni ruhere, baratashe…”
Credible information gathered on the ground indicates that the release of these members of the Imbonerakure was allegedly ordered upon instruction from the Prosecutor of Cankuzo, BAZIKWANKANA Ferdinand.
According to several consistent local sources, this decision was reportedly justified on the grounds that the individuals in question could not be subject to prosecution, as they were described as influential activists actively engaged within the CNDD-FDD.
These same sources further indicate that this justification was perceived as undermining the fundamental principle of judicial impartiality, raising serious concern among the population of Cankuzo.
“How can a serving prosecutor justify the release of individuals accused of such serious offenses by invoking their political affiliation or engagement? Does such reasoning not implicitly amount to endorsing a form of impunity linked to partisan affiliation?” many citizens question.
🔶 Anger and Concern Among the Population
These concerns, widely echoed on the ground, reflect a deep sense of unease and have fueled criticism of the local justice system, which is seen by some as vulnerable to political influence.Residents of Bumba Hill say they are deeply shocked by the release, as they had expected those arrested to face exemplary punishment for what they consider to be a particularly brutal killing.
Some individuals interviewed also expressed fear that the released Imbonerakure could pose a threat to the victim’s family.
🔶 Call for Justice
The organization King Umurundi Freedom strongly condemns what it describes as impunity and warns that such developments could contribute to instability in the country. According to the organization, the absence of accountability may encourage acts of vigilante justice among the population.
A renewed call is being made for justice in the case of NSHIMIRIMANA Léonard, and for an independent, transparent, and impartial investigation to clearly establish responsibilities.