Matabaro Ntawigira, a representative for the Barundi community among Congolese refugees in Burundi, has been detained at Ngozi central prison in Butanyerera province, northern Burundi, since July 17, 2026. His arrest is linked to denunciations of alleged human rights violations at the Musasa camp, where many Congolese refugees reside. Ntawigira, who serves as a key representative for his community, has consistently advocated for the rights of refugees. Supporters of Ntawigira believe his detention is directly connected to his persistent advocacy for refugee rights and repeated denunciations of injustices within the camp system. This belief shows concerns about the space available for refugee representatives to voice grievances without fear of reprisal.
Accusations and Denials
Authorities reportedly accuse Matabaro Ntawigira of encouraging and assisting three refugees, Makanda Junior, Mugisha Amani, and Djuma Kashanda, to write a letter. The letter, dated May 30, 2026, was addressed to the Haut-Commissariat des Nations unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) and the Office national de protection des réfugiés et des apatrides (ONPRA), two critical bodies responsible for refugee welfare and protection. Its content denounced alleged arbitrary detentions, intimidation, violence, and other violations of fundamental rights at the Musasa camp. The correspondence specifically stated that several refugees were arrested and detained for days without due process following a theft incident at Musasa camp, noting a lack of adherence to legal procedures. The signatories of the letter requested an independent investigation into the reported facts, aiming to bring transparency and accountability to the situation. They also sought guarantees of protection for individuals reporting violations, a key element for encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward. Matabaro Ntawigira has vehemently denied these accusations, stating that he did not participate in writing the letter nor did he encourage its authors to draft the document. He maintains his innocence regarding any involvement in the letter's creation or dissemination.
Advocacy and Prior Incidents
Matabaro Ntawigira had previously spoken out against what he perceived as the non-consideration of resettlement cases for Congolese refugees from the Barundi community of the Rusizi plain. This particular issue had been a recurring point of contention for his community, with Ntawigira acting as their vocal advocate. He had also directly questioned Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, the UNHCR representative in Burundi, regarding what he perceived as insufficient attention to his community's concerns, pushing for greater engagement and support from the international body. Prior to his recent detention, Ntawigira had experienced two transfers between different camps, with authorities reportedly citing him as a source of trouble or unrest. These transfers were seen by his supporters as attempts to silence his advocacy. Ntawigira maintains that his arrest is the result of a plot designed to discredit him, specifically referencing a dispute he had with Claudine Nsengiyumva, the administrator of the Musasa camp. This dispute, he suggests, may have played a role in the actions taken against him. His supporters echo this sentiment, viewing his detention as a direct consequence of his unyielding commitment to defending refugee rights.
Camp Situation and Signatories
The consequences of the May 30, 2026 letter have extended beyond Matabaro Ntawigira. Two of the three signatories of the letter addressed to the Haut-Commissariat des Nations unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) and the Office national de protection des réfugiés et des apatrides (ONPRA) have reportedly departed the Musasa camp, their current whereabouts or reasons for departure not immediately clear. Adding to the concerns, the third signatory has also been reported as detained, further noting the precarious situation for those who speak out about conditions within the camp. These individuals had co-signed the May 30, 2026, letter which detailed alleged human rights violations within the camp, putting them at potential risk. Meanwhile, Matabaro Ntawigira, whose arrest is directly linked to this correspondence and his broader advocacy efforts, remains detained at the central prison of Ngozi in Butanyerera province. His detention has continued since July 17, 2026, raising significant concerns among human rights organizations and refugee advocates about freedom of expression and the protection of refugee representatives in Burundi.