Burundi : arbitrary arrests and unjustified detentions of Congolese, the justice system under scrutiny

SOS Médias Burundi

Muyinga, November 15, 2025 — Jean-Pierre Kagalanu, Yohana Munga, Omar Byamungu, Louis Ombeni Banyanga, Gafarasi Kimanuka Bisongo, Claude Ndungutse, Jean-Paul Mbonimpa, Tantine Nyakumi, Brigitte Kabulo Mukamba… these are just some of the names that illustrate the detention of Congolese citizens in several prisons across Burundi, from Butanyerera province in the north to Buhumuza province in the east, and the Kavimvira border crossing with the DRC. These cases were examined by Alexis Otshudi, Second Counselor in charge of Congolese citizens abroad at the DRC Embassy, ​​during a mission conducted from November 12 to 14, 2025.

Arrests for dubious reasons

In Ngozi, Butanyerera province, five Congolese nationals are jailed for various reasons :

Jean-Pierre Kagalanu, for failing to declare 180 cell phones;

Louis Ombeni Banyanga, for demanding the return of these undeclared phones;

Gafarasi Kimanuka Bisongo, for espionage and lack of immigration documents;

Omar Byamungu, for armed robbery, currently residing in the Musasa camp.

The Attorney General acknowledged language misunderstandings and promised to review the cases.

In Muyinga, Buhumuza province, several Congolese refugees are detained for homosexuality, falsified immigration documents, or corruption :

Yohana Munga, arrested for homosexuality, is held at the Kinama camp;

Claude Ndungutse, for falsified immigration documents, is held at the Musasa camp;

Jean-Paul Mbonimpa, linked to the same case as Claude but cleared by the courts;

Tantine Nyakumi, Claude’s sister, for falsified immigration documents, is held at the Nyankanda camp;

Brigitte Kabulo Mukamba, arrested for corruption and illegal entry despite having valid documents, her case requiring military verification related to her husband. The prosecutor has promised her imminent release.

Border and security context

The delegation also visited the Burundi-Tanzania border crossing at Kobero, where the head of the post outlined the security challenges, the surveillance network, and the proliferation of recently seized counterfeit Congolese passports.

This mission comes at a difficult time for Congolese fleeing the war in North and South Kivu, which is partially controlled by the M23 and, according to UN experts, supported by Rwanda—a claim Kigali denies. In Bujumbura and Kobero, several Congolese have been arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned, or expelled.

A family member of a detainee told SOS Médias Burundi :

“We have been living in uncertainty for far too long. Many here lack the means or the voice to defend their detainees. We hope that the arrival of Advisor Otshudi will help clarify the cases and secure the release of those who are unjustly detained.”

Refugee camps for Congolese detainees are located in the two northeastern provinces of Burundi, where detention conditions and judicial oversight remain a concern.