Village Chief Assassinated by Armed Men

Burutsi, Walikale January 19, 2026 - The village chief of Burutsi, Mungo Barutsi, was brutally assassinated by unidentified armed men on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in his village located in the Luberike region, in Walikale territory, an area currently controlled by the AFC/M23 rebels since April 2025. The circumstances of the killing remain unclear, but the assailants fled immediately after the attack. “An investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators and establish responsibility,” local authorities stated, while calling on the population to remain calm and vigilant. This assassination further worsens an already fragile security situation in this part of Walikale, marked by the presence of AFC/M23 rebels. Since their takeover, residents have lived in a climate of fear, with reports of abuses, movement restrictions, and attacks on traditional authorities. Residents are denouncing a resurgence of targeted violence against community leaders, viewed as symbols of social cohesion and local resistance. The killing comes just one week after a deadly landslide in Burutsi that claimed 28 lives, plunging the community into a severe humanitarian crisis. “We hadn’t even finished mourning our dead from the landslide, and now we’ve lost our village chief. It’s too much for one community,” said a resident. The death of Mungo Barutsi has sparked strong emotions, with calls for urgent civilian protection, security for customary authorities, and independent investigations to ensure that justice is served.