Bujumbura : General Bertin Gahungu arrested, motives remain unclear

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, August 21, 2025 – Brigadier General Bertin Gahungu was arrested in Bujumbura, the commercial capital of Burundi, and is held at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Service (SNR), but the reasons for his arrest remain unclear, amid internal struggles within the Burundian police.

The true motives behind General Gahungu’s arrest remain unknown for the time being, according to several concordant sources. This high-ranking officer of the Burundi National Police (PNB) was arrested on Thursday at the PNB General Inspectorate in Bujumbura. His bodyguards were also arrested. No official statement has yet been made regarding this arrest.

While General Gahungu was transferred to the National Intelligence Service (SNR) headquarters, his bodyguards were taken to the Judicial Police cells, also in Bujumbura. Since his recall a few months ago, it has been unclear what position he held or which police department he was actually assigned to.

Bertin Gahungu is a controversial officer. He has been cited in several reports by human rights organizations for allegations of serious violations, including :

The torture of political detainees in 2008, including Evariste Kagabo, who was allegedly forced to confess.

The controversial arrest in 2021 of Christa Kaneza, wrongly accused of the assassination of her husband, in a case marred by alleged violations of the principle of the presumption of innocence.

Arbitrary arrests and intimidation during his time as head of the judicial police and when he was provincial commissioner for the West region.

He also held positions within the National Intelligence Service (SNR) before being appointed security attaché to the Permanent Mission of Burundi to the UN in New York, a position he held until very recently.

According to sources familiar with the case, this arrest could be part of internal struggles within the security services, amid rivalries between the SNR and the National Police (PNB). SOS Médias Burundi, however, has not yet obtained clear information on the true motives behind this arrest.