President Évariste Ndayishimiye has appointed new senior officers to Burundi’s military command following last month’s deadly explosion at an ammunition depot in Bujumbura.
On March 31, 2026, a fire erupted at the Camp Base military barracks, igniting a chain of blasts that destroyed nearby homes. The Burundian army reported 13 fatalities and 57 injuries. While officials initially blamed an electrical fault, President Ndayishimiye later rejected that explanation, noting that ammunition depots are deliberately kept without power to avoid such disasters.
In the days after the incident, several soldiers stationed at Camp Base were arrested on suspicion of involvement. As investigations continue, the president has moved to tighten oversight of weapons storage and logistics.
On April 22, Col. Thierry Kabura was named head of military equipment and logistics, taking charge of facilities including Camp Base. Additional appointments included Brig. Gen. Désiré Manirakiza as commander of the Second Division—covering Gitega, Ruyigi, Karusi, Cankuzo, and Mwaro—and Col. Jean Pierre Mbonyiyeze as commander of the Fourth Division, responsible for Bururi, Makamba, Rumonge, and Rutana.
The leadership shake-up underscores the government’s effort to strengthen control over military infrastructure while investigators work to determine the true cause of the explosion.
