A Kahuzi-Biega Ranger Killed by the Army in Kasirusiru

We deeply regret to report the brutal death of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park Ranger Kasigwa Kaboyi, 31 years old. He was killed on 31 October 2003 at about 8 p.m. in the Kasirusiru Sector.
On that evening, we were informed that a group of armed Interahamwe and ex-FAR (Forces Armées Rwandaises) had been observed in the park; they were preparing an attack on nearby villages. The commander of the troops based at Kasirusiru, not far from the ranger post, decided to carry out an action against these criminals without delay. As the soldiers were not sufficiently familiar with the park's forests, he decided to form a mixed patrol composed of 22 soldiers and 2 rangers. During the patrol, the soldiers were in front with a ranger who guided them, while the other ranger stayed at the back. Unfortunately, when the second ranger approached the ambush, one of the soldiers fired on him without any warning. This was a criminal act.
We are very saddened by this incident. In a patrol there is always a marching formation and nobody shoots unless he receives an order from his superiors. We trust in justice and think that the one who committed this crime should be punished according to the law.
The funeral of our ranger took place on the afternoon of 1 November in Kasirusiru. May his soul rest in peace.

Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi and Carlos Schuler

Bernard Iyomi Iyatshi is a specialist in wildlife management. He has worked for nature conservation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 22 years, for example in the national parks Salonga, Maiko and Kahuzi-Biega. In August 2002, he became Principal Conservator of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Carlos Schuler first worked as a typographer, then became a windsurfing and skiing teacher. In 1983, during one of his intercontinental travels, he visited Bukavu. Two years later he returned and since 1994 he has been working for the GTZ there.

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