5 December 2007
Bujumbura — Two persons in military uniforms murdered a moneychanger in the capital city Bujumbura yesterday morning. This incident took place in the high standing quarter of Rohero where the victim, Pacifique Ndarishikanye, lived. Two persons were also wounded and an unknown sum of foreign currencies was stolen during the robbery.
The late Mr. Ndarishikanye was the owner of Wall Street Forex Bureau in the capital Bujumbura. The victim began to receive threats of violence two weeks ago. The security assistance that he demanded from the chief of the police was never granted.
There is surge of robberies against businessmen. As early as last month, a Chinese citizen was killed in the Asiatic Quarter as he was about to pay his employees. The police have unsuccessfully tried to apprehend the bandits who committed this act which, added to other factors, almost weakened relations between Burundi and China. The inhabitants of some quarters have lost trust in the police. Last week, inhabitants of Cibitoke commune staged a demonstration to protest against the police station of that commune. A policeman was killed on Monday in unclear circumstances in Cibitoke.
The police are currently unable to control the escalating atmosphere of violence in Burundi. After the police worked hard to defend and free some of their members who were involved in various criminal activities, the hopes they inspired when CNDD-FDD first came to power have gradually faded. The recent attempt of the government to bypass FNL-PALIPEHUTU leaders has as well damaged the reputation of the police. It is now known that some police officers were involved in the recruitment of the so-called FNL-dissidents that mediator Nqakula continues to defend.
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