Brutal Murder of Father Gerard Nzeyimana in Burundi

Where is the world-wide outcry?

On October 18th Father Gerard Nzeyimana was cold-bloodedly murdered. The scene of the crime was Burundi, in the heart of Africa.

He was driving a car, accompanied by 3 nuns, through a country area on a little travelled

road. He had just driven his vicar to a neighbouring parish and wanted to return to his own parish, the largest in the region.

Suddenly he was forced to stop by several men blocking the road. The armed men, disguised in uniforms, directed their guns at the four and said to the 3 nuns: "What happens now is none of your business! Run!" Then they aimed their guns at Father Nzeyimana and murdered the defenceless and powerless man in cold blood at close range. No police will search for the murderers in Burundi. Neither will those murderers face any court proceedings nor punishment. The legislative and executive powers in the country are paralysed. So much of the country is war-torn after the decades of war, poverty and injustice.

Father Gerard Nzeyimana was an impressive personality. He lived his life in dialogue with his fellow men. He encouraged them to actively live their lives. He believed in Christian principals, particularly in brotherly love and acted accordingly. He was greatly committed to the peace cause. People loved and respected him. As the Episcopal vicar, he had great influence on the people. He was a friend, an example and a mentor for many younger priests. His first job as a priest was as head teacher of the Petit Seminaire in Buta. Before he was killed he was put in charge of the large Makamba area in the Bururi diocese in Burundi.

His murder raises certain questions: Why was he executed? Is the murder associated with the coming elections in April 2005? Is this the beginning of certain ethnic cleansing in Burundi?

The murder was part of a plan, a covert plan known only to the murderers and their contractors. The murder was committed in an extremely brutal manner. His death should not allow us simply return to normal life.

The general public must keep a watchful eye on this small country. Indignation must grow in our hearts, indignation which will help the people in Burundi to throw aside their paralysis, an indignation, which will help the people there to take courage that we will not abandon hope for a life in freedom and justice, for the rule of law and democracy in Africa, too.

Editor's note:

A missionary in the Bururi area, who asked to remain anonymous, said that Father Nzeyimana "was a key figure in the Burundian Church. He was respected for his commitment to young people and for his courage in speaking out in favour of the victims of the violence of this war."

The same source pointed out that "the news has gone almost unnoticed: just a few local radio stations reported it, without giving much detail."

The conflict in Burundi has left at least 300,000 dead and 1 million displaced out of a total population of 6 million. Since its independence in 1993, Burundi has endured confrontations between the dominant Tutsi ethnic minority and the Hutu majority.

A fragile peace process is under way. About 70% of the Burundian population lives under the poverty line.