SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, June 26, 2025 — Six young Congolese detainees from Kamanyola, in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been detained for a week in the cell of the Cibitoke provincial police station, in northwest Burundi.
Accused of belonging to the M23 rebel group, which they categorically deny, they denounce inhumane detention conditions, physical violence, and the theft of their belongings.

Forceful arrest

The six youths explain that they fled insecurity in their region and the M23 rebellion. They were, according to them, trying to reach Uvira through the Burundian territory. « We crossed the Rusizi River in Rukana village, in Rugombo district. We wanted to reach Luvungi on foot, » they say.

But their journey ended on Friday, June 20, 2025, around 4:00 p.m. They say they were intercepted by Imbonerakure, members of the youth league affiliated with the CNDD-FDD, Burundi’s ruling party.

« They savagely beat and robbed us. They took our clothes and more than 500 US dollars, » they accuse. The youths were then allegedly handed over to the police.

First locked up in the cell at the Rugombo modern market, they were then transferred to the cell in Rugombo district, before being taken two days later to the cell at the Cibitoke provincial police station.

Alarming detention conditions

According to local sources, the conditions in this cell are particularly worrying. More than 100 inmates are crammed in, although the space can only accommodate 40. « Some sleep standing up due to lack of space, » a source on the ground confided. Cases of coughing, skin diseases, and infections related to poor hygiene have been reported. Fifteen inmates are already suffering from serious complications.

The six young Congolese nationals categorically reject the accusations of belonging to the M23. They are demanding their immediate release, the restitution of their property, and that their rights be respected.

An investigation is underway

Contacted by SOS Médias Burundi, the prosecutor of the Cibitoke public prosecutor’s office stated that he had opened an investigation. « If no evidence links them to the accusations, they will be released, » he assured.

The prosecutor also announced the setting up of a commission of magistrates to rule on the cases of the inmates to relieve the overcrowding in the provincial jail. Those prosecuted for serious crimes will be transferred to Mpimba central prison in Bujumbura, the commercial capital.

In the meantime, the young Congolese are asking to be interviewed individually, as provided for by the Burundian law, and want justice to be done with strict respect for human rights.

The M23 war

The M23 is a former Tutsi rebel group that took up arms again in late 2021, accusing Congolese authorities of failing to honor their commitments regarding the reintegration of its fighters.

Since January 2025, the M23 has controlled the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu, as well as several other strategic mineral-rich areas, including Kamanyola, the home region of the six arrested youths.

In this war, Burundi has deployed approximately 10,000 troops to support the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Wazalendo militias, supported by the Congolese authorities, against the M23.