Burundi death certificate questions agency premises
An administrative document states a Burundi Development Agency official died at home, but his actual place of death was the agency's office.
An administrative certificate stating that Bruce Sebanza, an official at the Burundi Development Agency (ADB), died at home has raised questions. The document, confirmed as authentic by sources, designates the ADB's director general, Dr. Révérien Nizigiyimana, as the death declarant. However, the certificate states Sebanza died "at home (within the premises of the A.D.B.)" on October 13, 2026, despite his actual residence being in a different part of Bujumbura.
The discrepancy between Sebanza's registered address in Mutakura and the ADB's location in Mutanga Nord, both in the northern part of the capital, casts doubt on the circumstances under which the certificate was issued. Nizigiyimana's role as declarant is also notable, as his name has been previously linked to testimonies concerning events preceding Sebanza's death, prompting calls for a rigorous examination of his involvement.
This administrative attestation follows a call by the Independent National Human Rights Commission for investigations into the matter. The certificate does not replace a judicial inquiry to establish the exact causes of death and any potential responsibilities. Judicial authorities are expected to conduct thorough, independent, and impartial investigations.
Why it mattersThe death certificate's questionable details affect the family of Bruce Sebanza by obscuring the true circumstances of his death.