Makamba – Kayogoro : arrests and running away of CNL activists following the disscovery of anti-government leaflets

SOS Médias Burundi
Kayogoro, April 17, 2025 – Tensions have escalated in recent days in the district of Kayogoro, Makamba province (southern Burundi), following the discovery of anonymous leaflets attributed to a group called Burundi Democracy Liberation Force (BDF Abisezerano). These leaflets, distributed in several localities in Makamba and even in Rutana (southeast), denounced the lack of political dialogue at the highest levels of government and raised the possibility of an attack.
In the aftermath, two activists from the opposition CNL party, Gatore Thierry and Ndayishimiye Thierry, were arrested on Monday by members of the Imbonerakure youth league (members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party), with the support of the Kayogoro district police commissioner. Although the origin of the leaflets remains unknown, suspicion quickly fell on CNL party members.
These arrests are part of a growing wave of repression targeting opposition activists in several regions of the country. Burundian authorities are regularly accused of targeting members of the CNL, as well as other opposition parties, with arbitrary arrests and abuse of power. These practices include torture in detention, enforced disappearances, and judicial harassment. Many activists have reported being victims of physical and psychological violence during their incarceration, aimed at intimidating them and forcing them to renounce their political activities.
Fearing for their safety, three other activists – Niyongabo Therence (CNL leader in the Mugeni zone), Nyabenda Firmin, and Jean Berchmans – fled their homes. They were actively sought by Imbonerakure identified as Bikorimana Marc and Nsabimana Pierre, in collaboration with local authorities.
The following day, Tuesday, a public meeting was held on Kigaza village, Dunga zone. It was chaired by Nyandwi Dechaux, zone chief, in the presence of Bayubahe alias Baba, local leader of the ruling CNDD-FDD party. Several witnesses claim that the purpose of this meeting was to openly intimidate opposition activists.
During this meeting, the zone chief made particularly serious remarks :
« Mwe bakiri muri CNL, turabamenya. Bose ni ukubica vuba na bwango, igihugu kibone gutekana. »
(You who are still in the CNL, we know you. We must eliminate you all quickly so that the country can regain peace.)
These words, perceived as a call to political violence, sowed panic among CNL activists. According to them, the fundamental rights of opponents are being violated in full view of the authorities.
Over the years, arrests of opponents and abuses of power have intensified, particularly since the controversial re-election of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2020. Human rights organizations have regularly denounced the use of violence by security forces to crush all forms of dissent. CNL activists, in particular, are targeted by death threats, physical violence, and pressure to join the ruling party.
The situation remains very tense in the district of Kayogoro, where CNL activists denounce a manhunt orchestrated by administration and security officials. They demand that their security be guaranteed, like that of all other Burundian citizens.
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Imbonerakure march down a main street in Makamba as part of paramilitary training organized by the ruling CNDD-FDD party. They are accused of abuses against opponents.