GITEGA, Burundi — The Truth and Reconciliation Commission with french acronym CVR has completed the registration of thousands of victims of past violence across Burundi, as part of ongoing efforts to address grievances and promote national reconciliation.
In the Gitega province, specifically in Nyarusange, 995 individuals have been identified in the TRC’s victim registration lists. Local residents have expressed support for the initiative, noting that there has been no conflict or tension following the publication of the names. Many emphasized a sense of peaceful coexistence, citing interethnic marriages, mutual assistance, shared prayers, and collaborative development projects.
“We live together peacefully, and there has been no division since the publication of the lists,” said a community member. “We support each other, and we’re working together for progress.”
In the nearby Mwaro province, in Nyabihanga, 1,296 victims were identified, and relatives of the victims have welcomed the CVR’s investigation, saying it allowed them to voice their grievances. Residents have expressed a desire for continued peace and unity, free from ethnic divisions. Some have called for the establishment of a national memorial, without ethnic distinctions, to honor all victims of past violence.
Ntawurusiga Isidonie, a local community member, emphasized the importance of supporting families who have not been able to organize funerals due to the long-standing challenges faced by the community.
Local leaders are advocating for further reconciliation initiatives. Roger Habonimana, a resident of Gitega, suggested the creation of a national day of mourning to remember all victims. Thérence Ngendakumana, a youth leader in Nyabihanga, encouraged young people to contribute to the country’s 2040-2060 development vision through efforts focused on reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
The CVR’s registration effort has also been carried out in the communes of Kayokwe and Gisozi in Mwaro province, where 1,065 and 553 victims were registered, respectively. Community members in these areas have requested ongoing support for victims, beyond the initial registration phase, and called for unity among youth to foster national development.
As of now, the CVR has registered a total of 57,159 victims across five provinces, including Gitega, Mwaro, Muramvya, Kayanza, and Ngozi. A complementary registration phase is currently underway, allowing families who missed the initial registration to come forward.
All suggestions and feedback gathered by the CVR will be submitted to the Burundian government for consideration in future reconciliation policies and national reconstruction efforts.
