At least 20 people, mostly civilians, were killed in a brutal attack by the RED-Tabara rebel group in the western Burundian town of Vugizo on Friday evening. The incident marks a tragic escalation in the country’s simmering conflict, raising concerns about renewed instability.
Burundian authorities condemned the attack as a “barbaric act of terrorism,” revealing that 12 children, including five under five, three women, two of them pregnant, and five men, including a policeman, were among the slain. Nine others were injured and hospitalized.
In contrast, the RED-Tabara claimed responsibility through a social media message, stating their fighters had targeted a military position at the Vugizo border post, killing nine soldiers and one policeman. This conflicting narrative highlights the challenges of verifying information amidst the chaos and violence.
Independent military and security sources confirmed the attack on the military outpost but acknowledged that civilians were caught in the crossfire, leading to the high number of casualties. The assailants reportedly retreated across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This attack marks the second major rebel incursion into Burundi in as many weeks, raising eyebrows after a period of relative quiet since September 2021. Back then, RED-Tabara carried out a series of audacious attacks, including one on the Bujumbura airport, showcasing their capabilities. Although their activities had largely shifted to DR Congo’s South Kivu province recently, the recent resurgence suggests a renewed offensive strategy.
In its social media message, RED-Tabara ominously vowed to “continue its operations in all of the country,” signaling a potentially protracted period of violence and instability. Burundian authorities face the daunting task of quelling the insurgency while protecting civilians caught in the crossfire.
The international community has expressed alarm at the escalating violence and urged both sides to de-escalate and prioritize dialogue. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the Vugizo attack and renewed efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Burundi’s fragile peace remains precariously balanced, and the recent attack serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of armed conflict. Whether the government can effectively counter the rebel threat and protect its citizens while respecting human rights remains the crucial question in the weeks and months ahead.
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