Bujumbura : four members of the same family, including two police officers and the secretary general of the Burundi Football Federation, jailed for WhatsApp messages on the war in the DRC

Four members of the same family were imprisoned in Mpimba central prison in Bujumbura following messages on a family WhatsApp group about the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The messages in question were reportedly deemed sensitive by the authorities, as some praised the bravery of the M23 rebels, an armed movement in conflict with the Congolese army and its allies. The Burundian army has deployed nearly 10,000 soldiers to support the FARDC, the Congolese army, and its allied militias against the M23. This case highlights the tensions between freedom of expression, digital surveillance, and political issues in Burundi.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Among those arrested are two police officers.

Kévin Nishimwe, a police lieutenant from Budaketwa village (Mabanda district Makamba-south province), was arrested on February 13, 2025.

Albert Ndayisaba, a police second lieutenant from Maramvya (Burambi district, Rumonge-southwest province), was arrested on March 23, 2025.

The other two detainees are :

Manassé Nizigiyimana, a member of the SWAA Burundi organization, from Budaketwa, who was arrested on March 2, 2025. (SWAA Burundi has an HIV-AIDS testing center).

Jérémie Manirakiza, secretary general of the Burundi Football Federation (FFB), was arrested on March 27, 2025, at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in the commercial capital, upon his return from an official mission to Morocco.

The WhatsApp group in question was reportedly administered, among others, by Police Lieutenant General André Ndayambaje, current Permanent Secretary for Public Security at the Ministry of the Interior. This connection helped attract the attention of intelligence services, especially after some members of the group forwarded the incriminating exchanges to the authorities.

According to sources close to the case, the four people were transferred to Bujumbura’s central prison, known as Mpimba, on Saturday, April 5, the day after a hearing in the council chamber. While the first three were heard the previous Wednesday, Jérémie Manirakiza was brought before a judge last Friday.

An arrest raises questions

The arrest of Jérémie Manirakiza particularly surprised the public. Neither the Burundi Football Federation nor the judicial authorities have released the official reasons for his detention, fueling speculation. Our sources indicate that, in addition to his comments in the WhatsApp group, his non-affiliation with the ruling CNDD-FDD party may have worked against him. He held a position coveted by some influential members of the ruling party. The arrest of Jérémie Manirakiza, secretary general of the Burundi Football Federation, upon his return from an official mission to Morocco, raises serious questions. Officially silent, the authorities have provided no explanation.

This case once again highlights the growing tensions surrounding freedom of expression and digital surveillance in Burundi. Simple exchanges in private groups can now lead to serious charges if their content is deemed hostile to the regime or endangers the national security.

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On the right, with glasses, FFB Secretary General Jérémie Manirakiza sits with Police Brigadier General Alexandre Muyenge, President of the FFB. The two men were returning from the same official mission to Morocco when Manirakiza was arrested at Bujumbura airport, in the presence of FFB President DR