Burundi: Commission Accused Of Fueling Hutus-Tutsis Hate
By David Irakoze
October 12, 2026
Bujumbura, October 12, 2026 — The Burundian Parliament has extended the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for another four years, extending its term from October 25. Presented by the authorities as an instrument for peacebuilding, the commission is strongly contested by civil society organizations and Tutsi rights groups, who accuse it of selectively interpreting historical violence and treating victims unequally. The Forum for Strengthening Civil Society (FORSC) warns against the risk of selective memory that could deepen national divisions.
Both houses of Parliament approved the extension of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) mandate on Friday, October 9, during a joint session held in Bujumbura, Burundi's economic capital. The decision was adopted unanimously, as the commission's current mandate was set to expire on October 25.
The President of the National Assembly, Daniel Gélase Ndabirabe, defended this renewal, believing that the continuation of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission would contribute to strengthening internal peace, security and forgiveness among Burundians.
However, this decision comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the commission's working methods, its conclusions on past violence, and its intervention in land disputes.
FORSC denounces the risk of selective memory
In an analysis published on October 12, the Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society (FORSC) criticizes the extension of the TRC's mandate and warns against the risk of the commission devoting itself to a selective reading of Burundi's history rather than promoting fair recognition of victims.
The organization believes that the commission's work must take into account the suffering of all communities and the various episodes of violence that have marked the country, particularly those of 1965, 1972, 1988, 1993 and 2015.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is notably accused by its detractors of favoring Hutu victims in its handling of the 1972 massacres, to the detriment of Tutsi victims. These criticisms fuel the concerns of those who believe that the truth and reconciliation process risks becoming a tool for confrontation surrounding national memory.
FORSC also questions the historical perspectives advocated by the commission and fears the political manipulation of its work. The organization believes that recognizing the suffering of one community should not lead to minimizing that of another.
The controversial statements of Pierre Claver Ndayicariye
The pronouncements of the chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR), Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, have contributed to fueling the controversies. On December 20, 2021, during the presentation of a progress report to both houses of Parliament in Bujumbura, he described the 1972 massacres as "genocide against the Hutus of Burundi."
This classification is contested by actors who denounce insufficient recognition of the violence committed against the Tutsis, particularly after the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye in October 1993. Many Tutsis consider this violence to be genocide against their community.
In May 2022, President Évariste Ndayishimiye himself stated that it was not yet time to declare the 1972 massacres a genocide. These divergent positions illustrate the persistent disagreements in Burundi regarding the legal and historical classification of the various crises that have plagued the country.
Critics of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) argue that acknowledging one episode of violence should not come at the expense of others. They specifically criticize the commission for not giving equal attention to sites where mass graves of Tutsi victims have been reported. These accusations fuel doubts about the thoroughness of its investigations and its ability to address different historical narratives impartially.
Mass graves: accusations that fuel mistrust
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has also faced criticism regarding its findings on the existence of mass graves in certain regions of Burundi. Critics accuse it of making disputed claims about some sites, while associations and residents denounce the insufficient consideration given to other presumed burial sites.
These accusations must be examined in light of the available evidence for each site concerned. They nevertheless raise a central question: do the commission's investigations allow the facts to be established exhaustively and impartially, regardless of the identity of the victims?
In a country where interpretations of the past remain deeply linked to community affiliations, the credibility of the TRC depends in particular on its ability to document the facts, to confront testimonies and to publicly explain the criteria that guide its conclusions.
Looted property: another front of tension
The TRC's interventions in land disputes are another source of concern. The commission's chairman recently warned that individuals who threaten its members, refuse to provide requested information, or present false evidence during investigations are subject to legal penalties.
According to him, the legislation governing the CVR provides for a sentence of penal servitude of one to three years, accompanied by a fine of between five and ten million Burundian francs, for certain offences related to its investigations.
“Some cases contain many lies,” said Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, referring to instances where people claim ownership of properties they know were stolen from them. He warned that witnesses found guilty of making false statements could face prosecution.
The president of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission also announced that investigations into the misappropriated assets had begun and that the first decisions would be made public within two weeks. He called on citizens to be truthful, stating that lies could fuel conflicts within families and society.
These statements have elicited mixed reactions. Some citizens see them as a necessary step to establish the truth and return property to its rightful owners. Others fear that the legal warnings will be perceived as a means of intimidation in an area where disputes sometimes pit families, communities, and individuals against each other who have benefited from previous rulings.
FORSC is particularly concerned about the consequences of certain interventions by the commission, which could call into question land rights recognized by the National Commission for Land and Other Property (CNTB) or by the courts. The organization calls for transparency, respect for legal procedures, and the guarantee of the rights of all parties.
Four more years with no guarantee of reconciliation
Established by the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, signed in August 2000, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) was created in 2014 to investigate the violence that has marked Burundi's history and contribute to national reconciliation. The Arusha Agreement was a major step in the process of ending the civil war, which claimed more than 300,000 lives according to United Nations estimates.
But more than two decades after the signing of this agreement, Burundians remain deeply divided over the characterization of the 1972 massacres, the 1993 violence, and other episodes in their history. The recognition of victims, the establishment of responsibility, and the restitution of property continue to be sources of tension.
For FORSC, the extension of the TRC's mandate should be accompanied by strengthened guarantees regarding its independence, the transparency of its investigations, and the inclusion of all categories of victims. The organization advocates for an evaluation of its findings and for conclusions based on verifiable facts.
With four more years ahead of it, the commission will have to address criticisms of its impartiality and demonstrate that its work serves all Burundians. A lack of confidence in its ability to acknowledge the various forms of suffering and to fairly resolve land disputes risks prolonging controversies instead of bringing communities closer together.
© SOS Médias Burundi.
