Bubanza : Floriane Irangabiye speaks of a happy event and relief after her release from prison

I am very happy because I have just been reunited with my family, declared journalist Floriane Irangabiye after her release from prison on Friday afternoon. The CNIDH (National Independent Human Rights Commission) for its part speaks of an occasion of joy. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

A few journalists had gone to Bubanza in western Burundi to cover “the good news”. Floriane Irangabiye, who received a presidential pardon on August 14, happily left the prison that hosted our colleagues from the Iwacu press group who were pardoned by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, like her, in December 2020.

“I am very happy because first of all I have just found my family. So for me it is a great relief, for my family, certainly for my children,” she told colleagues who were at the Bubanza central prison.

Unforgettable day and commendable gesture

On August 16, 2024, I will never forget the presidential pardon that I received from His Excellency the President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye. For me it is a commendable and noble gesture as a parent, as the father of the nation. If he thought of me, if he could do that for me, I think I will repay him for it all my life, said Floriane Irangabiye.

For the former prisoner, “it is a page of my history that is being written, certainly one that will never be forgotten for me, all my loved ones and all those who care about me”.

Thanks

Floriane Irangabiye thanked all those who launched “a vibrant appeal”.

“[…], the European Union, they have not stopped supporting me in any way, they have done everything to make this day happen. I also thank all the human rights organizations, I thank my radio, Igicaniro radio, which has not stopped doing everything to ensure that I do not fall into oblivion, I also thank international organizations such as Reporters Without Borders, Tournons-La Page, I thank Amnesty International in a very special way and I also thank all those who defend human rights in general,” listed journalist Irangabiye.

Prison, a horrible place

Prison is not a place where you would even wish your enemy to have to spend a moment, no matter how short or long, she recalled.

Insistence on the president

“I come back to the president again, I wish him peace, I wish him the development of this country, I wish him that the economy regains its speed so that he can stand out. And I hope to be part of it”, Floriane Irangabiye wished.

Slippage?

A colleague wanted to know if Floriane Irangabiye intends to continue the profession of journalism.

” […] The profession of journalism yes, but perhaps in another way different from how I did it before because there might have been something that slipped on my side. Or I could also do something else because I have a degree. I also have other things that I undertook even before”, Floriane Irangabiye replied.

CNIDH wants to be part of the victory but refuses to talk about other similar cases

If this day happened, we will share this victory with the CNIDH, according to Floriane Irangabiye.

“CNIDH is an organization that supported me in a very special way, that has always been there,” said journalist Irangabiye.

Sixte Vigny Nimuraba, president of the CNIDH wanted to be present when Floriane Irangabiye was released from prison.

He had to travel from far away in Makamba province not far from the border with Tanzania further south to go to Bubanza further west, a province bordering Congo.

“It is an occasion of joy for everyone,” he said.

But the president of the commission whose detractors want a new demotion, refused to comment on the cases of other journalists in detention.

“I am not reacting on the profession of journalism, I am reacting on the Burundian population especially the detainees”, he answered a question from senior journalist Abbas Mbazumutima of the Iwacu press group concerning the other female journalist still in detention Sandra Muhoza, before he finished asking his question.