Makamba: Two CNL activists illegally detained for 16 days before their transfer to the prosecutor’s office

SOS Médias Burundi

Makamba, April 24, 2025 — Two opposition activists supporting CNL party (National Congress for Freedom) were transferred this Wednesday, April 23, to the Makamba prosecutor’s office, after spending 16 days in detention in the jails of the Kayogoro communal police station. This period exceeds by two days the legal limit saying the detention in a police custody is set to a maximum of 14 days.

The individuals concerned are Gatore Thierry and Ndayishimiye Thierry, arrested on April 7 on Mugeni Hill, Kayogoro commune. Their arrest was not carried out by the judicial police, but by Imbonerakure, members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party, namely Marc Bikorimana and Pierre Nsabimana, in coordination with the municipal commissioner. This method raises many concerns about compliance with legal procedures.

Leaflets at the origin of the crackdown

The arrest followed the distribution of anonymous leaflets in several localities in Kayogoro and in other provinces such as Rutana (southeast), signed by a group calling itself Burundi Democracy Liberation Force (BDF Abisezerano). These documents, critical of the government, have been linked to members of the CNL, although their direct involvement has never been proven. Since then, a campaign of intimidation has targeted CNL activists. Several local figures, including Niyongabo Thérence (party leader in Mugeni), Nyabenda Firmin, and Jean Berchmans, have been forced to flee and live in hiding for over two weeks.

A worrying trend, according to human rights defenders

For many observers, this case reflects a worrying trend toward the criminalization of the opposition in the run-up to the June legislative and municipal elections. The involvement of unauthorized actors in arrests, the failure to respect detention limits, and the lack of judicial transparency are elements denounced by human rights defenders.

“Detaining people beyond the legal time limit and without a clear warrant seriously violates the principles of the rule of law. And when politicized civilians carry out the arrests, we enter a lawless zone,” warns a member of a local human rights organization, who requested anonymity.

To date, no official communication has been made by the Makamba prosecutor’s office regarding the exact charges or the length of the pretrial detention.

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Makamba prosecutor’s office where the two CNL activists are being held (SOS Médias Burundi)