Cibitoke : the hunt for CNL members is in full swing

Members of the opposition CNL party say they are being persecuted. Four members were arrested in less than a month. Officials of this party point the finger at the National Intelligence Service (SNR) of Cibitoke in the districts of Rugombo, Mabayi and Buganda (northwest Burundi). Their crime is said to be in the pro-Rwasa CNL party. The provincial head of the SNR denies these allegations. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Across the six districts of this province, members and supporters of the main opposition political party in Burundi say they have been mistreated since the last congress of the CNL party organized by the dissident wing on March 10 in Ngozi and which dismissed Agathon Rwasa at the top of this party.

They say they are terrified. Four of them have already been arrested by the intelligence service in less than a month.

The latest to be arrested is the youth leader of this party in Rukana village in Rugombo district. He was arrested on Wednesday, March 13, on the pretext that he was wearing a T-shirt with an image of Agathon Rwasa.

The situation of members on this side is such that today most of them say they no longer sleep at home.

“To protect ourselves from the harassment of the Imbonerakure (members of the CNDD-FDD youth league), we are forced to leave our homes to find refuge in the bush,” regrets a long-time activist of the former Palipehutu FNL, now CNL, established in the Mabayi district.

In Rugombo and Buganda districts, two other CNL members were arrested by intelligence agents during the month of February.

“We fear for our safety and certain indications show that the one who was arrested in Mabayi is no longer alive,” testifies a provincial party official, still devoted to MP Agathon Rwasa.

A leader of the CNL party in Cibitole speaks of “the resurgence of acts of violence followed by kidnappings against our activists since the “pseudo” Ngozi congress”.

Another official in Mugina reports “death threats which are regularly made, ordering our members and sympathizers to both respect and follow the orders emanating from the new bodies resulting from this illegal congress, because it was organized under the blessing of the Ministry of ‘Interior’.

The government wants to divide the party to prevent it from running in the next elections in 2025.

“The CNDD-FDD, whose record is largely negative, is afraid of being beaten and is trying by all means to deprive us of our rights to take part in the next elections,” he adds.

These members of the CNL contacted demand an immediate end to these acts of intimidation against them, otherwise, they warn that they will be forced to resort to self-defense.

The head of leagues and associations affiliated with the CNDD-FDD in the new province of Bujumbura refutes all these allegations and indicates that the CNDD-FDD party highlights peaceful cohabitation and tolerance towards other members of opposition parties.

Contacted about the members of the pro-Rwasa CNL party who were arrested by intelligence, the head of the SNR in Cibitoke declines all responsibility.