Burundian authorities arrested several Banyamulenge religious leaders in September 2026, including Pastor Gédéon Nzayitegaho and Jalos Nkunda Kilaya, amidst heightened regional tensions. Jalos Nkunda Kilaya, head of the Église évangélique au pays des Grands Lacs (EEPGL), was arrested on September 8, 2026, at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport as he prepared to fly to Rwanda. This apprehension took place at a critical juncture, as Kilaya was reportedly attempting to depart the country. Two days later, Pastor Gédéon Nzayitegaho was apprehended on September 10, 2026, at his church Carmel in the Mutakura neighborhood of Bujumbura. Agents of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) subsequently searched Kilaya's family home, specifically seeking Jacqueline Nyiramasoso's phone. During this search, Jacqueline Nyiramasoso and Merci were also arrested. These arrests have sent ripples of concern through the Banyamulenge community and beyond, noting the widespread atmosphere of suspicion in the Great Lakes region.
Escalating Crackdown on Clergy
The arrests of Banyamulenge religious leaders followed the apprehension of Pastor Jalos Nkunda Kilaya on September 8, 2026, at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport. Pastor Kilaya, along with Pastor Mark Ntayoberwa, head of Cornerstone, and Murama Gatonzi, are reportedly among the arrested Banyamulenge. All arrested individuals are said to be detained in cells at the National Intelligence Service (SNR) headquarters in Bujumbura. The conditions of their detention and the specific charges against them have not been fully disclosed, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding their cases.
Brigadier General of Police Domitien Niyonkuru, head of internal intelligence at the SNR, reportedly supervised Jalos Nkunda Kilaya's arrest. This direct involvement of a high-ranking intelligence official shows the perceived significance of Kilaya's detention by Burundian authorities. Following the apprehension, Burundian intelligence services encountered difficulties unlocking Pastor Kilaya's phone, which had been purchased in a European country. The inability to access the contents of the phone has reportedly intensified suspicions among the intelligence services, who are keen to uncover any potential communications or activities deemed problematic. Jacqueline Nyiramasoso and Merci, arrested during the search of Kilaya's family home, were also taken to the intelligence service premises for questioning. Their arrests highlight the broad scope of the investigation, extending beyond the primary targets.
Murama Gatonzi's arrest is reportedly linked to irregular migration documents. However, judicial authorities have not publicly confirmed this information, leaving room for speculation about the true nature of the charges. Separately, claims regarding Jalos Nkunda Kilaya possessing a Rwandan passport have not been independently verified. These unconfirmed reports, however, feed into the narrative of espionage and collaboration that Burundian services are reportedly investigating, particularly given the strained relations between Burundi and Rwanda. The lack of official confirmation on these details only serves to heighten the climate of rumor and suspicion.
Context of Regional Instability
Burundian services suspect Pastor Jalos Nkunda Kilaya of collaborating with Rwanda, with some sources describing him as a 'double agent'. This suspicion arises amidst a complex regional security landscape, where historical grievances and ongoing conflicts create a fertile ground for mistrust. The church Cornerstone, led by Mark Ntayoberwa, also maintains a presence in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Goma, a significant city in the eastern DRC, fell under the control of the AFC-M23 in January 2025, marking a critical shift in the ongoing conflict in the volatile region. This capture by the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda has been accused of supporting, has further exacerbated regional tensions. Following this, Bukavu, another key city in the eastern DRC, also came under the control of the AFC-M23 in February 2025, signaling a rapid expansion of the group's influence and control over strategic areas.
The armed group Twirwaneho, primarily composed of Banyamulenge individuals, is associated with the AFC-M23 in the conflict, further complicating regional dynamics. This association is a key element in the Burundian authorities' suspicions, as it links the Banyamulenge community, through one of its armed factions, to a group perceived as hostile and supported by a rival nation. Burundi itself has deployed troops in the DRC, operating alongside the FARDC, the Congolese national army, and Wazalendo militias, in efforts to stabilize the volatile eastern regions. This military involvement shows Burundi's direct stake in the security situation in eastern DRC and its determination to counter groups like the AFC-M23. The presence of Burundian forces alongside Congolese government troops and local militias indicates a complex, multi-faceted approach to regional security, but also notes the deep-seated nature of the conflicts.
The historical context of violence against the Banyamulenge community also informs current anxieties; the massacre of Gatumba in August 2004 resulted in the deaths of 166 Congolese refugees. Among the victims were 154 Banyamulenge and 12 Babembe, showing the deep-seated ethnic and political tensions in the Great Lakes region. This tragic event remains a painful memory for the Banyamulenge and contributes to their vulnerability and the perception of their community as being caught in the crossfire of regional power struggles. These interconnected events contribute to the prevailing atmosphere of suspicion and heightened security measures in Burundi and its neighboring states, making any perceived links to external actors or rebel groups particularly sensitive. The arrests of religious leaders from a community with such a fraught history are thus viewed through a lens of profound historical and political significance.
Fear and Uncertainty Grip Community
The Banyamulenge are a Tutsi community historically established in the highlands of South Kivu, a region that has experienced significant volatility and inter-ethnic conflict. The arrests of religious leaders from this community have contributed to a climate of apprehension among its members, both within Burundi and in the wider Great Lakes region. A pastor, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation and fear of reprisal, described the prevailing mood, stating, "The climate is very tense, you understand that people are afraid." This sentiment reflects broader concerns within the Banyamulenge community as regional tensions escalate and security forces conduct investigations that often lack transparency.
The community's historical presence in a conflict-prone area, coupled with recent detentions of prominent figures like Pastor Kilaya and Pastor Nzayitegaho, has amplified feelings of uncertainty regarding their safety and status in the Great Lakes region. Many Banyamulenge fear that these arrests are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader pattern of targeting their community under the guise of national security, especially given their perceived ethnic ties to Rwanda and their historical marginalization. The lack of clear information regarding the charges and the conditions of detention for those arrested further exacerbates these fears, leading to a sense of vulnerability and helplessness among community members. The ongoing regional conflicts, particularly in the eastern DRC, and the involvement of various armed groups, including those with Banyamulenge members, place the entire community under intense scrutiny, making daily life precarious and fraught with anxiety.