The family of Burundian soldier BIZIMANA Jean Claude has expressed deep concern over the prolonged lack of information regarding their relative, who has been missing for several months while on deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
BIZIMANA Jean Claude, Second Class with service number HR 98049, was born in 2002 on Mugomera hill, in Muramvya province (under the former administrative structure). Prior to his enlistment, he resided in the Kinanira I neighborhood of Bujumbura.
According to information provided by his relatives, he was recruited into the army in 2021. He later underwent military training at Mutukura camp, located in the former Cankuzo province. This training was completed at the end of August 2025. In early September 2025, he was deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of military operations against the M23 armed group.
Since December 2025—following the capture of the city of Uvira by the M23 group and the subsequent dispersal of Burundian forces in the area—BIZIMANA Jean Claude has not been heard from. He remains unreachable, and no official information has been released regarding his situation to date.
Amid this uncertainty, several hypotheses have emerged, including the possibility that he may have been captured by the M23 or may have lost his life in the field.
In this context, the family of BIZIMANA Jean Claude is calling on the Burundian military authorities to provide clear information about his whereabouts or fate, in order to bring an end to the distressing uncertainty they continue to endure.