BUBANZA, February 19th (ABP) – The inhabitants of Gihanga commune (North-West Burundi) are called upon to double vigilance for the preservation of peace and security, and to pursue their self-development projects in peace. This was said on Monday, February 17, 2025 at the meeting held by the governor of the Bubanza province, Cléophas Nizigiyimana, for the inhabitants of the commune, and discussed security and development.
Gihanga is one of the communes bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the local administrative source, the transit site for returnees, located in the commune, has already welcomed more than 3,000 Congolese refugees since the 15th of this month. The concern of local residents, which was mentioned in the meeting, is, above all, the shuttles of those who come to see their loved ones in the transit site, with the risk of infiltration of evil-intentioned people.
They ask for the relocation of those Congolese refugees, far from the border of their country. Other concerns, which were raised, are, among others, land properties, belonging to individuals, which were considered as part of the Rukoko nature reserve during the delimitation. There is also the lack of drinking water in Kagwema village, where a 20-liter can is bought between 1000 and 1500 BIF.
The governor of the province asked them to double their vigilance, while remaining aware that security must be everyone’s business, and calls for the proper functioning of the joint security committees. He invited them not to consider rumors, especially those that pass on social media, but to continue their self-development projects in peace.
Concerning their lands and drinking water, he reassured them that the administrative officials have taken ownership of them for sustainable solutions. The other call is to cut short with fraud because the recalcitrant will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.