SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, April 16, 2025 – Désiré Hatungimana, 32 years old, a member of the CNL party, has been detained for a week in police cells in Makebuko, in Gitega province (central Burundi). He was arrested on Tuesday, April 8, after he went to the district police station to file a complaint, according to a witness.

The day before, around 11 p.m., in Muyange village (Maramvya zone, Makebuko district), he was reportedly intercepted by two members of the Imbonerakure, including Emmanuel Ntibashirakandi, a local CNDD-FDD leader. He is accused of organizing clandestine nighttime meetings and possessing leaflets deemed hostile to the head of state. The Imbonerakure are members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party.

Methode Ndikumana, leader of Muyange village, confirmed the arrest and stated that « investigations are ongoing. » Emmanuel Ntibashirakandi, named in the case, declined to comment, simply stating that « the case is in the hands of the courts. »

The activist’s relatives denounced the arrest as arbitrary, amidst political intolerance in the run-up to the June 5 general elections. His brother, Japhet Germain Mbonihankuye, claims that Désiré was mistreated during his arrest. « There is no evidence. He is being persecuted solely because he is a member of the CNL, » he declared.

The Burundi Bwa Bose coalition, which brings together opposition political parties, is concerned about the rise in intimidation against CNL members. It accuses the government of seeking to silence the opposition in the run-up to the elections and calls for the immediate release of political detainees.

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CNL activists at a party rally (SOS Médias Burundi)