Burundian authorities presented 13 individuals to journalists at the Service national de renseignement (SNR) headquarters in Bujumbura on October 9, 2026. The group consists of 11 men and two women, most of whom are identified as Banyamulenge refugees. Officials formally accused the suspects of engaging in espionage on behalf of Rwanda. The charges further allege that these individuals threatened state security, utilized false documents, and engaged in activities intended to harm the national economy. These proceedings represent the latest security action taken by the Service national de renseignement regarding foreign intelligence allegations within the country.
Detention of Religious Leaders
The group of suspects presented by the Service national de renseignement includes several religious leaders. Mark Ntayoberwa of the Stone Evangelical Church is among those detained, alongside Gédéon Nzayitegaho of the Église Carmel. Jalos Nkunda Kilaya of the Église évangélique au pays des Grands Lacs (EEPGL) also remains in custody as part of the espionage investigation.
Authorities took Jalos Nkunda Kilaya into custody on September 8, 2026. Security personnel apprehended him at Bujumbura International Airport. These detentions follow accusations that the individuals utilized their positions and travels to engage in espionage on behalf of Rwanda. The formal proceedings against these religious figures continue as the Service national de renseignement investigates alleged threats to state security.
Official Calls for Exclusion
Pierre Nkurikiye, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Security, issued a public directive regarding the Banyamulenge community following the recent espionage allegations. He urged Burundian citizens to maintain active observation of this group as part of national security efforts. During his address, he explicitly requested that residents refrain from providing housing to these individuals.
Pierre Nkurikiye stated, "Il faut surveiller leurs déplacements et ne plus leur louer de maisons, surtout ici à Bujumbura." This call for exclusion specifically targets the capital city, where authorities have intensified their monitoring of foreign nationals. By discouraging property owners from renting to Banyamulenge refugees, the ministry seeks to restrict the movement of those currently under scrutiny by the Service national de renseignement. Government officials maintain that such measures are necessary to identify potential security threats linked to the ongoing espionage probe. No further instructions regarding the implementation of these rental restrictions were provided by the Ministry of Security.
