The two young Rwandan women are imprisoned in Gitega central prison in the political capital of Burundi. They are accused of espionage.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Two young Rwandan women, Olive Nzeyimana, 34 years old, and Chantal Nyirahabimana, 31 years old, have been incarcerated in Gitega central prison, Burundi, for two weeks. They were arrested on February 15, 2025, at the entrance to the city of Gitega, at the junction between Gitega, Ngozi, and Muyinga, while traveling in a public transport vehicle.

Burundian authorities, suspecting that they lacked all the necessary documents to enter the country, were particularly alarmed by their Rwandan accent. After a check, the two women were roughly taken by police to the Gitega provincial police station.

On February 28, 2025, an arrest warrant signed by the Public Prosecutor’s office led to their transfer to Gitega central prison, where they are currently incarcerated. Burundian authorities accuse them of espionage.

Since their incarceration, residents of Gitega have attempted to bring food and basic necessities to the two women, including mattresses and kitchen utensils. However, these efforts have been hampered by threats and intimidation from the Imbonerakure (members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party).

Some residents of Gitega regret strained relations between Burundi and Rwanda. They expressed their solidarity with the two young women and called for their release.

Tensions between Burundi and Rwanda escalate

Tensions between Burundi and Rwanda are exacerbated by the ongoing crisis in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rwanda is accused by numerous international observers of supporting the M23 armed group, which now controls the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu, both mineral-rich regions. This situation has contributed to a further deterioration in relations between the two countries.

For its part, Burundi has deployed approximately 10,000 troops to the Kivu region in support of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and their allied militias to combat the M23 and prevent the armed group’s expansion.

The complex geopolitical situation in the region has fueled tensions between neighboring countries and continues to weigh on the stability of the African Great Lakes region.

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A parking lot for car taxis commonly known as proboxes in Gitega. The two young Rwandan women were aboard a probox taxi at the time of their arrest (SOS Médias Burundi)