Burundi Bwa Bose targeted? Motorcyclists deprived of their vehicles after a rally in Gitega

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, May 27, 2025 – In Gitega, Burundi’s political capital, motorcycle taxi riders affiliated with the Burundi Bwa Bose political coalition denounce the “arbitrary” seizure of their vehicles in various parking lots around the city. They point to political motives and accuse the Imbonerakure, the youth league of the ruling party, of being behind the attacks.

According to several testimonies collected by SOS Médias Burundi, these seizures occurred the day after a motorized parade organized as part of the coalition’s election campaign.

“Yesterday (Sunday), we participated in the parades on our motorcycles, like all citizens in a so-called democratic country. “This morning, my motorcycle was seized and taken to the Gitega provincial police station,” said a motorcyclist who spoke to us in the city center parking lot on Monday, requesting anonymity.

The same story was heard at the Murisanze station and the Magarama neighborhood parking lot, where several drivers denounced a disturbing confusion between the responsibilities of the national police and the actions of the Imbonerakure.

“It is the Imbonerakure who seized my motorcycle, claiming it was a ‘stunt’ defect. Then they took it to the police station themselves,” said another driver, visibly frustrated.

For those affected, the consequences are dire.

“Since this morning, I no longer have access to my motorcycle. I have no way of feeding my wife and four children. I don’t even know how I’ll manage tomorrow,” confided a motorcyclist with reddened eyes.

On the Burundi Bwa Bose side, provincial leader Daniel Manirakiza speaks of targeted repression :

“So far, six of our activists have had their motorcycles seized for purely political reasons. Yesterday (Sunday), during a mass meeting, the Imbonerakure photographed license plates of our members’ motorcycles and then began to intimidate them,” he said.

He added that a suspected Imbonerakure member, Shadrack Niyonkuru, 29 years old, was reportedly arrested and handed over to appropriate authorities. However, despite efforts made to address Governor Venant Manirambona and the local intelligence chief, Venant Ndayishimiye, no action has been taken.

A call to end fear

At the same meeting, Patrick Nkurunziza, president of the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition, called on Burundians to “end fear” and peacefully resist political intimidation.

“The CNDD-FDD must understand that this country belongs to all of us. Break fear wherever you go,” he declared.

He also denounced arbitrary arrests and kidnappings, calling on activists to demand warrants in case of arrest. Mr. Nkurunziza reiterated that, despite the exclusion of certain political forces from institutions such as the CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission), change remains possible if citizens overcome their fear.

With less than two weeks to go before the legislative and district elections, these events have rekindled concerns about the political space and respect for fundamental freedoms in Burundi.

Concerned drivers are demanding the immediate return of their motorcycles and denouncing the use of security forces for partisan purposes.

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Motorcyclists and activists from the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition on their way to a meeting in Gitega, the political capital, on May 25, 2025 (SOS Médias Burundi)