Burundi arrests journalists

BURUNDIAN authorities have arrested four journalists and a media worker while covering a clash between security forces and gunmen who crossed into the country from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The news team from the privately owned Iwacu – broadcast reporter Christine Kamikazi, politics writer Agnès Ndirubusa, English service reporter Egide Harerimana, photojournalist Térence Mpozenzi and their driver Adolphe Masabarikiza – had travelled to the western Bubanza province to cover the unrest.

Gunmen had crossed from the DRC, briefly kidnapped about 20 people, and clashed with security personnel. Police and youths surrounded the team while they were collecting witness reports in Musigati district and confiscated their equipment and phones.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said police should immediately and unconditionally release the journalists and their driver, and ensure that the press was allowed to report on the Bubanza tensions without interference.

“Journalists have a duty to report on unrest, and security personnel ought to protect and facilitate this work, not impede it,” said CPJ subSaharan Africa representative Muthoki Mumo.

Media groups rate Burundi as a hostile environment for journalists.

CPJ has documented censorship and threats against journalists since an attempted coup in 2015. An Iwacu journalist, Jean Bigirimana, has been missing since 2016.

These violations have cast doubt on the unstable east African country holding credible polls next year.

| CAJ News