The Burundi Human Rights Initiative
Statement on the end of BHRI
Members of the Burundian army stand guard during President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s inauguration on 18 June 2020 in Gitega. ©2020 Private
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Members of the Burundian army stand guard during President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s inauguration on in Gitega. © Private

Hidden from view

Sexual violence by Burundian troops in Congo’s South Kivu province

Members of the Burundian army have raped, abducted, arbitrarily detained and ill-treated Congolese civilians since their deployment to South Kivu, in the Democratic of Republic of Congo (DRC), in late to combat Burundian and Congolese armed groups. Members of the youth league of Burundi’s ruling party, the Imbonerakure, who fought with Burundian troops during the unofficial phase of the operation until mid-, and members of Burundian armed opposition groups based in the DRC have also raped Congolese women.

In the Burundi Human Rights Initiative’s report, “Hidden from view: sexual violence by Burundian troops in Congo’s South Kivu province”, Congolese victims and other witnesses describe how Burundian soldiers abducted and raped women and beat civilians whom they suspected of collaborating with Burundian armed groups. These actions breach international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.

Some of the Burundian commanders responsible for the troops in the DRC, such as Ignace Sibomana and Ildephonse Baranyikwa, have been accused of serious human rights violations in Burundi in the past. The Burundian government has failed to hold them accountable.

Photo illustration: Ruyigi Prison, 2011. ©2011 Private
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Photo illustration: Ruyigi Prison, . © Private

Forgotten prisoners

For some prisoners in Burundi, the real suffering begins after their “release”. They are illegally detained beyond their release date, often without explanation, after they have been acquitted, after a court has ordered their provisional release or after serving their sentence.

A new report by the Burundi Human Rights Initiative, “Forgotten prisoners: Burundi’s justice system ignores the law”, describes how judicial officials and prison directors frequently violate the law or obey instructions by intelligence agents or prosecutors not to release certain prisoners – particularly those accused of political or security-related offences. The problem is compounded by delays at the appeal courts, particularly at the Supreme Court’s appeal chamber, where cases can get stuck for several years.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s unkept promises to reform the justice system cast a shadow over his reputation. Beyond a few cosmetic gestures, he has failed to address one of the most blatant forms of injustice: prosecutors who order prison directors to illegally detain prisoners in “sensitive” cases. Will the president finally take action to ensure that the law is upheld and court rulings are implemented without delay?

President Évariste Ndayishimiye (left) stands alongside Alain Guillaume Bunyoni after he was sworn in as prime minister on 24 June 2020. ©2020 Private
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President Évariste Ndayishimiye (left) stands alongside Alain Guillaume Bunyoni after he was sworn in as prime minister on . © Private

An adversary vanquished

In , President Évariste Ndayishimiye ordered the arrest of his former prime minister, Alain Guillaume Bunyoni. The arrest appeared to redraw the political power map in Burundi’s ruling party, the CNDD-FDD, exposing the shifting dynamics and signalling Ndayishimiye’s willingness to act decisively against opponents within his party.

The Burundi Human Rights Initiative’s report, “An adversary vanquished: how far will President Ndayishimiye go?”, explores the significance of Bunyoni’s arrest and analyses how it could shape Burundi’s future political direction. Will Ndayishimiye continue to marginalise his opponents in the CNDD-FDD and consolidate his power? Will he face resistance from hardliners in the party who resent his latest moves? What is the impact of these events on the human rights situation?

The report also outlines the likely consequences of turmoil in the main opposition party, the CNL, particularly in advance of legislative elections in .