On September 25, 2022, alleged members of Imbonerakure, the youth wing of CNDD–FDD (Burundi’s ruling party), physically attacked Emile Mailo Nduwimana, a student at the University of Burundi.

According to reports, Imbonerakure members stopped Nduwimana while he was returning to his dormitory and brought him to a room on campus where he was beaten and lost consciousness. The Imbonerakure members allegedly attacked Nduwimana because they suspected he was a recruiter for CNL, another political party in the country..

After the attack, Nduwimana was transported to a hospital in critical condition and the police were contacted.

In a statement, Audace Manirambona, the rector of the University of Burundi, shared that an investigation of the attack was ongoing.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks by students on other students. Police and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe living conditions for students, and students must refrain from violence. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, violent attacks on campus undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.sosmediasburundi.org/2022/09/27/bujumbura-des-imbonerakure-tabassent-un-etudiant-au-campus-mutanga/
https://iwacu42.global.ssl.fastly.net/universite-du-burundi-quand-les-rondes-nocturnes-tournent-mal/