Gitega: the journalist Gérard Nibigira’s case becomes knoty

The case of the radio Isanganiro correspond in the province of Gitega (central Burundi) has been entrusted to the prosecution. Yet, the journalist was not questioned by an OPJ even though it was the police who briefly detained him on June 30.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

It was on July 10 when our colleague learned that his case had been passed on to the Gitega public prosecutor’s office. This is after having unsuccessefuly asked his phone back, to the communal police commissioner in Gitega, lieutenant colonel of police Jean Prime Ndikubwayo.

For the moment, the only criticism weighing against the Isanganiro radio correspondent is that he communicated with Bob Rugurika, head of RPA (African Public Radio) which broadcasts from exile. Commissioner Ndikubwayo relies on the fact that Rugurika wrote on his account the origin of the arrest of journalist Gérard Nibigira on June 30.

https://www.sosmediasburundi.org/2024/07/09/gitega-les-telephones-du-journaliste-gerard-nibigira-toujours-confisques-par-la-police/

The person concerned has always denied that he is not in contact with the head of RPA, a media for which he worked before its destruction with rockets by men in uniforms of the Burundian army and police after the failed coup d’état in spring 2015.

Normally, our colleague should first be questioned by an OPJ in such a case, which was not done. He was also not informed of the reason for the transfer of his file to the public prosecutor’s office, we learned.

The director of radio Isanganiro Charles Makoto speaks of “disappointment and gray area”.

“Our correspondent was only doing his job as a journalist. We are in a situation of worry and incomprehension,” he laments. Mr. Makoto appealed to the Burundian president “who has always recognized the work of journalists” so that he could intervene.

Civil society organizations and political party leaders say they are concerned by these acts described as intimidation against journalists on the eve of the 2025 elections. For them, “these are actions carried out by perpetrators of disorders who always want to hide what they do for fear of possible sanctions”.

They recommend that media institutions support journalists at this time to ensure peaceful elections.

Everyone is surprised today to see no reaction from the National Communication Council (CNC), the Burundian regulatory body and the ministry in charge of communication.