Six Individuals Executed Following Witchcraft Accusations in Burundi

In a tragic display of mob violence, six individuals accused of witchcraft were brutally killed in Burundi, with two of the victims reportedly burned alive. This incident occurred on July 1, 2025, in the Gasarara Hill area, approximately six miles east of Bujumbura, the country’s economic capital. According to a local official who spoke to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on July 2, the violence erupted following accusations made by members of the ruling party's youth movement, known as the Imbonerakure, which has been described as a militia by various human rights organizations.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that a group of young Imbonerakure members entered the homes of approximately ten people accused of witchcraft, launching a violent attack. "Six people were killed, two of them burned alive. The others were beaten to death with clubs or stoned with large stones thrown at their heads," stated the official, who requested anonymity due to security concerns. The brutality of the attack has been characterized as "horrific, unspeakable barbarity" by the same official.

Local authorities intervened, rescuing three additional individuals who were also beaten during the incident. Videos of the violence have circulated on social media, with some clips authenticated by witnesses, further corroborating the involvement of the Imbonerakure group. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have long accused the Imbonerakure of committing acts of violence, including killings and torture, particularly during the authoritarian regime of former President Pierre Nkurunziza, who ruled from 2005 until his death in 2020.

Desire Nsengiyumva, the governor of Bujumbura province, confirmed the arrest of twelve individuals linked to this incident. He condemned the mob justice as "unacceptable," asserting that the community had wrongly attributed recent unexplained deaths to the victims of the attack.

Belief in witchcraft is prevalent in many rural communities across Africa, including Burundi, where traditional beliefs often intertwine with Christian practices. The government has faced criticism for failing to protect individuals from mob violence fueled by these beliefs. In a related case, a former prime minister was sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly using witchcraft to threaten the president's life.

The situation in Burundi reflects a broader pattern seen in several African nations, where accusations of witchcraft can lead to violence and human rights abuses. For example, Amnesty International reported earlier this year that hundreds of individuals suspected of witchcraft in Ghana face severe human rights violations, including murder. Similarly, in Zambia, two men were charged with witchcraft after allegedly attempting to harm the president.

In Angola, belief in witchcraft persists despite opposition from the Catholic Church, with reports of individuals dying after being forced to ingest potions to prove their innocence. During a 2009 visit, Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholics to reject witchcraft and sorcery as part of a broader campaign against these practices.

The recent violence in Burundi highlights the urgent need for government intervention to protect vulnerable populations from such brutal acts and to address the underlying social tensions that contribute to mob violence. As the international community watches closely, it remains to be seen how Burundian authorities will respond to this incident and what measures will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.