Burundi arrests Rwandan journalist over ‘spying’

Officials in Burundi say they have arrested a Rwandan journalist on charges of “spying,” as Bujumbura continues its crackdown on media, which it accuses of fueling the recent anti-government protests in the country.

A local prosecutor said Friday that Etienne Besabesa Mivumbu, who works for the Rwanda News Agency (RNA), was detained in the northeastern Giteranyi district.

Prosecutor Ernest Nduwimana said the journalist was carrying a voice recorder and a camera when officials took him into custody.

“We charged him with spying because he was a journalist who sought information without accreditation,” Nduwimana said.

The arrest comes amid deepening political unrest in Burundi over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid to seek a third term in office. The controversial decision has sparked huge protests over the past two months, with opponents branding the move as unconstitutional and against a peace deal in 2006, which ended more than a decade of civil war in the African country.

The government has also blamed journalists and media in general for orchestrating the daily street protests.

Burundian officials claimed on Thursday that the anti-Nkurunziza demonstrations had ended, and that the remaining people on the streets were only being influenced by the media.

There have also been reports of death threats and intimidation of journalists by Burundian police or other security officials.

On June 10, Amnesty International warned against escalating threats against journalists and other media workers in Burundi, saying an atmosphere of “fear” is prevalent among journalists in the African state.

In a similar statement on Thursday, Reporters without Borders also said some 50 journalists have reportedly left the country for “security reasons,” adding that “it is still too dangerous to go back.”

Since late April, African media, and world media in general, have been actively covering the political developments in Burundi, including the anti-government protests as well as a failed coup attempt by a senior military leader.

Burundi’s arrest of the Rwandan journalist may now lead to a new low in relations between the two neighboring countries weeks after Rwandan President Paul Kagame called on Nkurunziza to revoke his bid for a third term.

AU against vote amid chaos

In a separate development, the African Union (AU) said they will not observe the upcoming elections in Burundi until calm returns to the African state.

Burundi is set to hold parliamentary elections on June 29 and the presidential vote on July 15.

The country was slated to hold the presidential election on June 26, but it changed the date to July 15 after an emergency summit of the east African nations in late May recommended a postponement.

According o Press TV, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs Aisha L. Abdullahi said Friday that a mediation team dispatched by the continental body to Burundi has yet to ascertain the country’s readiness for holding national votes.

Burundi is expected to be a key topic of discussion in the upcoming summit of AU leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 14 and 15. 

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