***Tension at the Annunciation parish of Nyakasanza: Between theft and demonstrations***
The Annunciation Catholic parish in Nyakasanza is once again at the heart of the news, this time due to a burglary that occurred on Sunday night. Unidentified individuals entered the parish premises, causing material damage and sowing concern among the faithful.
Christians gathered inside the parish as well as on the main road, expressing their dissatisfaction with this criminal act. Tires were burned in protest.
According to some accounts, the burglars deliberately targeted the parish office, implying that they were looking for the priest. Accusations have even been made against the military governor, suggesting an underlying climate of political tension.
Faced with this situation, the prosecutor’s office launched an investigation to elucidate the circumstances of the burglary. However, some faithful question the legitimacy of this approach, thus adding fuel to the fire of distrust.
The police presence was increased to contain the demonstrations, leading to warning shots which only further fanned the embers of anger.
This series of incidents recalls an earlier tragedy that occurred in 2009, when Father Gaston Buli was murdered in murky circumstances at the Annunciation parish in Nyakasanza.
The tension remains palpable, the future looks uncertain for this parish already marked by trials. The faithful and local authorities hope for a peaceful outcome to this delicate situation.