Buyengero : an “untouchable” manager of Imbonerakure arrests an ex-FAB retiree

Gordien Nkurunziza, a retired soldier from the former Burundian Armed Forces, was arrested last Saturday by the district police commissioner in Buyengero. It is in the province of Rumonge (southwest Burundi). He was arrested after surveillance of his home carried out by Imbonerakure (members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD party). He is accused of participation in armed movements. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to neighbors, this retiree from the former army was arrested Saturday at his home in Mujigo village in Buyengero district.

He was apprehended by the Buyengero district commissioner around 8 a.m.

Gordien Nkurunziza had been on leave at home since Friday evening. The ex-soldier has a job outside the province.

According to sources close to his family, since his arrival, he was monitored by Alexis Nimpagaritse, head of the Imbonerakure in Mujigo village.

The latter mobilized Imbonerakure who surrounded his enclosure all night before calling the police to arrest him.

After his arrest, Gordien Nkurunziza was taken to the Buyengero district police station and then transferred the same day, late in the afternoon, to the cell of the provincial police station in Rumonge.

He is accused of participation in armed movements – allegations refuted by his relatives.

The police report that Gordien Nkurunziza was arrested at the suggestion of the joint security committee.

They add that “he is under interrogation and if there is no evidence he will be acquitted.”

This Imbonerakure leader Alexis Nimpagaritse is often accused of persecuting opponents, ex-FAB retirees and even ordinary citizens.

Last week, Alexis Nimpagaritse arrested a mentally ill man in the same village, mishandled him before taking him himself to the district police station cell. The police released him after noting his disability.

Ironically, the residents of Mujigo village describe Alexis Nimpagaritse as mentally ill, given the numerous acts of violence he commits against the residents.

Since 2015, opposition activists and ex-FAB have fled this village because he kept making baseless accusations against them to have them arrested.

Residents are asking the CNDD-FDD party to replace him at the top of Imbonerakure.

It should be noted that after the arrest of Gordien Nkurunziza, more than 200 Imbonerakure carried out paramilitary training on the roads passing Mujigo village to intimidate the population.