Bizmana, Thierry
Summary of Oral History
Thierry Bizmana said on April 22, 1972, the militia killed his father and his uncle because they were respected business owners in their community. After the 1972 tragedies, Bizmana explained that living conditions had worsened. He spent several years fleeing the providences of Gitega, Uganda, and Bujumbura. The perpetrators that killed Bizmana’s family ceased their vehicles, homes, and land. For the past 50 years, Bizmana said the people who killed his family are the same people who are part of Burundi’s current ruling power. He said he hopes that the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) continues to do everything in its power to make this mass atrocity public. Bizmana said before the TRC stepped in to help, Burundians were not even allowed to walk or drive near mass graves. He said he knows people want to dismantle the TRC so they can continue to keep their stolen property.