Taarifa Investigative Desk has reliably established that any person who has stayed in areas controlled by AFC/M23 rebels in DRC is not allowed to enter Burundi.
According to Léonidas Ndaruzaniye, Burundi’s Security Minister, “any person originating from the areas occupied by AFC-M23 in eastern DRC, or who has transited through these territories, will not be authorized to enter Burundian territory.”
He said that the new measures also concern United Nations officials working in the areas under AFC/M23 administration in DRC.
Minister Ndaruzaniye made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with police officers in Bujumbura, the country’s commercial Capital.
Arbitrary Arrests and Forced Disappearances
Reports have emerged that the country’s notorious National Intelligence Service (SNR), is arbitrary arresting Congolese Tutsi refugees (Banyamulenge).
For example Ntole Rugonderani 70, was plucked out of his home on September 26th at Congolese refugee camp in Bwagiriza, Ruyigi district, Buhumuza province, eastern Burundi.
Those familiar with the case said that Rugonderani’s crime is travelling to Rwanda to visit family members.
The frosty relations between Kigali and Gitega have caused SNR to scrutinise movements of members of the Banyamulenge community to Rwanda.
There has been a wave of arrests of Banyamulenge across Bujumbura and other parts of the country.
A prominent Pastor Jalos Nkunda Kilaya, was seized on September 8 at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport as he was preparing to travel to Kigali.
Pastor Gédéon Nzayitegaho and pastor Marc Ntayoberwa are also among the religious leaders arrested.
Jalos Nkunda Kilaya was then taken to his home, where a search was conducted by SNR agents.
His wife, Jacqueline Nyiramasoso, and Merci, a young student and family member, were also arrested during the operation.
Gédéon Nzayitegaho was arrested on September 10 at his Carmelite Church in Mutakura neighborhood, north of Bujumbura.
Sources familiar with the cases indicate that several of those arrested were taken to the SNR headquarters, near Regina Mundi Cathedral in Bujumbura.
