The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) held a press conference in Gitega on 15 October 2026. Officials from the commission organized the event to address the role of media organizations in the national reconciliation process within Burundi. Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, Amédée Hakizimana, and Amédée Habimana attended the gathering to discuss the proposed partnership. The commission seeks to coordinate with media outlets to disseminate information regarding its ongoing work and objectives. Participants examined how journalists might support the mandate of the Commission vérité et Réconciliation through public reporting. No formal agreements were finalized during the session, but the commission stated its intent to continue these discussions with media representatives in the coming weeks.
Prior Investigations and Reporting
The Commission vérité et Réconciliation presented its final report on the 1972 genocide against the Hutu of Burundi to the Parliament on 16 June 2026. Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, president of the CVR, addressed the necessity for accurate reporting as the commission prepares for its next phase of work. He stated, "A vous, professionnels des médias, nous demandons d’être des partenaires engagés dans la diffusion d’une information juste, équilibrée et constructive."
Future investigations by the commission are set to encompass the 1988 massacres, the crises of Ntega and Marangara, the 1991 and 1993 crises, and the subsequent civil war. Regarding the investigative process, Pierre Claver Ndayicariye noted, "Les équipes se rendent sur le terrain pour entendre ceux qui ont vécu les événements. Un travail qui exige, selon lui, de la rigueur, de l’impartialité, de la patience et un profond respect de la dignité humaine : derrière chaque témoignage se trouve une histoire, derrière chaque dossier une souffrance, derrière chaque investigation l’exigence de rechercher la vérité sans céder aux préjugés, aux manipulations ni aux considérations partisanes."
The Commission vérité et Réconciliation has been tasked with handling land disputes for approximately two years. This responsibility remains a central component of the organization's broader objective to address historical grievances and facilitate resolution across the country.
Implementation of the commission’s new mandate is scheduled to begin on 25 October 2026. This timeline dictates the upcoming operational focus for staff members as they transition into the next series of inquiries. The commission intends for media partnerships to support the dissemination of findings throughout this period, ensuring that information regarding the investigations remains accessible to the public.