Bugendana: woman illegally detained in a container with her 3-month-old baby

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, April 27, 2025 – An alarming case has been reported in Bugendana commune, Gitega province (central Burundi), where a young mother, Goreth Niyibizi, is currently illegally detained in inhumane conditions with her three-month-old baby. This lockup has sparked a wave of outrage among residents and local authorities who are requesting an explanation for the local police’s action.

Goreth Niyibizi, a woman in her thirties, is detained in a makeshift cell turned container at the Mutoyi police station, in Bugendana commune. This stems from her husband’s escape after he was involved in a motorcycle accident inflicting injuries to a resident and lead to his fleeing. Since the incident, Goreth Niyibizi has been detained without any official judicial decision, which is seen as unfair and abusive by the neighbors of his home hill, Cishwa.

Voices are being raised against this injustice.

Jacquelline Funege, the Cishwa hill chief expressed her solidarity with the victim and promised not to give up fighting until Goreth Niyibizi is released. “We will not abandon until Goreth Niyibizi is freed and his rights restored,” she stated, emphasizing the absurdity of the case where a woman and her infant are deprived of their liberty without any evidence or judicial decision.

A justification contested by the authorities.

The Bugendana communal police commissioner, Yves Ndikumana, responded by explaining that the young mother’s detention was linked to the need for an investigation into her husband who reportedly caused the accident. According to her statements, Goreth Niyibizi will be released as soon as her husband is found. However, the detention in a container was overlooked by Commissioner Ndikumana when asked, an attitude that raises many questions.

A worrying case regarding respect for human rights

This case raises serious questions about prison conditions in certain police stations in Burundi, particularly with regard to the rights of women and children. Human rights defenders are concerned about the treatment of Goreth Niyibizi and are calling for a review of police practices to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of detainees, particularly mothers and their children.

The situation of Goreth Niyibizi also highlights the challenges faced by local authorities in ensuring dignified detention conditions and fair treatment of all citizens, without discrimination.

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A woman with a child on her back in front of the Gitega Court of Appeal, March 2020 (SOS Médias Burundi)