Matabaro Ntawigira, a representative of the Barundi community among Congolese refugees in Burundi, has been detained since July 17, 2026. He is currently held at the central prison of Ngozi, located in the province of Butanyerera in northern Burundi. His arrest is linked to denunciations of alleged human rights violations at the Musasa camp, which is also situated in northern Burundi. The detention of Matabaro Ntawigira notes ongoing concerns regarding the protection of refugee rights and the treatment of those who speak out against alleged abuses within refugee settlements.
Allegations and Denials
Authorities reportedly accuse Matabaro Ntawigira of encouraging and helping three refugees—Makanda Junior, Mugisha Amani, and Djuma Kashanda—to write a specific letter. The letter, dated May 30, 2026, was addressed to the High Commission for Refugees (HCR) and the National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (ONPRA). It denounced alleged arbitrary detentions, acts of intimidation, violence, and other violations of fundamental rights at the Musasa camp. The letter specifically stated that several refugees were arrested and detained without regular procedure following a theft incident at Musasa camp. Its signatories requested an independent investigation and guarantees of protection for those reporting violations. This request for an independent inquiry showed the gravity of the accusations made within the letter. Matabaro Ntawigira rejects these accusations, according to his relatives. They state that he claims he never participated in writing the letter or encouraged its authors. His relatives emphasize that he maintains his innocence regarding any involvement in the letter's creation or distribution.
Context of Repression
Matabaro Ntawigira believes his arrest stems from a conspiracy, specifically referencing a dispute with Claudine Nsengiyumva, the administrator of the Musasa camp. This dispute, according to Ntawigira, may have contributed to his current predicament. Supporters of Matabaro Ntawigira contend that the judicial proceedings against him are connected to his activism for refugee rights and his consistent denunciations of injustice. They assert that his efforts to advocate for the Barundi community within the refugee population have made him a target. He had previously raised concerns regarding the lack of consideration for resettlement cases involving refugees from the Barundi community. These concerns were a recurring theme in his advocacy work. Matabaro Ntawigira also questioned Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, the UNHCR representative in Burundi, about what he perceived as insufficient attention to his community's concerns. His direct engagement with high-ranking officials reflected his determination to bring attention to the issues faced by those he represented. Before his detention, authorities had transferred him between different camps on two occasions, alleging he was instigating trouble and division. These transfers were seen by his supporters as attempts to silence his advocacy and disrupt his organizational efforts among the refugee population. The repeated transfers, prior to his formal arrest, suggest a pattern of official disapproval of his activities.
Fate of Signatories
Two of the three refugees who signed the letter to the High Commission for Refugees (HCR) and the National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (ONPRA) have since departed the Musasa camp. The letter, dated May 30, 2026, denounced alleged human rights violations within the camp. The departure of these signatories raises questions about their safety and the pressures they may have faced following the letter's submission. The third signatory has also been placed in detention, according to reports. This development further complicates the situation for those who dared to report alleged abuses. These developments follow the detention of Matabaro Ntawigira, who authorities accuse of encouraging the letter's creation. The sequence of events, involving the detention of Ntawigira and one signatory, and the departure of the other two, suggests a concerted response to the allegations outlined in the letter.
Ongoing Detention
Matabaro Ntawigira continues to be held at the central prison of Ngozi, located in the province of Butanyerera in northern Burundi. His detention follows accusations by authorities that he encouraged and assisted three refugees in writing a letter to the High Commission for Refugees (HCR) and the National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (ONPRA). The letter, dated May 30, 2026, detailed alleged human rights violations at the Musasa camp, specifically mentioning arbitrary detentions, acts of intimidation, and violence. Ntawigira's relatives state he denies these accusations, claiming he was not involved in the letter's creation or encouraging its authors. His continued incarceration shows the ongoing legal proceedings and the unresolved nature of the allegations against him. Matabaro Ntawigira remains detained at the central prison of Ngozi as the situation unfolds.