Bujumbura Police: Assault Alexis Ndayisenga, Journalist Beaten

• Journalist Alexis Ndayisenga of Isanganiro Radio and Television claims he was assaulted by a plainclothes police officer and subsequently beaten at a police station in Bujumbura on September 28.
• The officer was identified as Lieutenant Blaise of the Rapid Intervention Mobile Group (GEMIR), who allegedly struck Ndayisenga twice on the neck with a baton.
• Ndayisenga reports ongoing neck pain and was released after 10 p.m. following the intervention of a police official who condemned the violence.
• Isanganiro's director, Charles Makoto, condemned the attack and demanded legal action, while police spokesperson Léopold Ndayisimiye stated an investigation is underway, promising sanctions if facts are established.
• This incident occurs as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Burundi 119th in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, noting a "very hostile" environment for journalists despite a slight improvement from 2025.

This serves as a critical data point for human rights lawyers and media organizations monitoring police conduct and press freedom in Burundi, potentially informing legal strategies for accountability or risk assessments for journalists operating in the region.

On the night of Monday, September 28, journalist Alexis Ndayisenga, who works for Isanganiro Radio and Television, reported a severe assault by police officers in Burundi's commercial capital, Bujumbura. The incident began at the South Bus Parking lot as Ndayisenga was returning home after presenting the evening news. He claims he was confronted by a plainclothes officer, later identified as Lieutenant Blaise, a member of the Rapid Intervention Mobile Group (GEMIR). Lieutenant Blaise reportedly ordered Ndayisenga to exit a passenger vehicle forcefully.

Ndayisenga states he requested to remain in the vehicle due to fatigue, a plea that allegedly provoked a violent response from the officer. According to his account, Lieutenant Blaise struck him twice on the neck with a baton. Following this initial altercation, Ndayisenga was then taken to a police station situated near the former central market of Bujumbura, known as SOGEMAC, by officers assigned to escort him.

At the SOGEMAC police station, the journalist claims he endured further severe physical abuse, specifically stating he was beaten while lying face down. He also reported disturbing verbal abuse, including officers allegedly attempting to further assault him and remarking that his "buttocks belonged to the state." Ndayisenga asserts he is still experiencing neck pain as a direct consequence of the beating. He was eventually released after 10 p.m., a release he attributes to the intervention of a police official who, he testified, condemned the violence perpetrated by the officers involved in the incident.

In the wake of the alleged assault, Charles Makoto, the director of Isanganiro Radio and Television, issued a strong condemnation of the attack on his journalist. Makoto has publicly called for immediate legal action to be initiated against the police officers implicated in the incident, emphasizing the seriousness of the reported misconduct.

When contacted by the Isanganiro newsroom regarding the allegations, police spokesperson Léopold Ndayisimiye initially characterized the event as a "minor incident." However, Ndayisimiye subsequently affirmed that the police force is actively investigating the matter. He stated that if the facts of the assault are substantiated, the officers involved would face appropriate sanctions. The spokesperson further underscored the police's official stance, asserting that the institution cannot, under any circumstances, condone such behavior directed towards citizens.

This incident, involving the alleged Bujumbura police assault on Alexis Ndayisenga, casts a renewed spotlight on the challenging environment for journalists operating in Burundi. Conditions for practicing journalism in the country remain a significant concern, as highlighted by international observers.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, ranked Burundi 119th out of 180 nations, with a score of 46.14 points. This represents a slight improvement from its 125th position in 2025. Despite this marginal rise and some acknowledged positive signals from authorities, RSF maintains that the overall environment for journalists in Burundi remains "very hostile." The organization specifically points to the ongoing prosecution and conviction of media professionals as a persistent issue.

Security is one of the five key indicators RSF utilizes to assess press freedom globally. In this particular category for 2026, Burundi scored 52.86 points. The reported beating of the Isanganiro journalist in Bujumbura thus reignites critical questions concerning the safety of media workers and the respect for their fundamental rights while carrying out their professional duties in the country. This serves as a critical data point for human rights lawyers and media organizations monitoring police conduct and press freedom in Burundi, potentially informing legal strategies for accountability or risk assessments for journalists operating in the region.

This incident serves as a critical data point for human rights lawyers and media organizations monitoring police conduct and press freedom in Burundi, potentially informing legal strategies for accountability or risk assessments for journalists operating in the region.

Source: Reporting from a recent news article.