Burundi National Assembly: Papy Jamaica Arrested on Premises

• Audiovisual producer Amani Papy Ndikumana, known as Papy Jamaica, was arrested on October 12, 2026, at the Burundi National Assembly.
• The arrest was ordered by National Assembly Speaker Gélase Daniel Ndabirabe and executed by the National Intelligence Service.
• Papy Jamaica's detention stemmed from a dispute with two National Assembly technicians, whom he accused of sabotage and demanding money.
• He held a monthly contract worth 15 million Burundian francs for maintaining audiovisual equipment and staff training.
• A mediation attempt by Speaker Ndabirabe two days prior to the arrest failed to resolve the conflict, as Papy Jamaica refused to continue working with the technicians.

This incident underscores the significant risks faced by contractors operating with Burundian state institutions, where disputes can escalate into extra-judicial actions and arbitrary detention, bypassing established legal frameworks.

Amani Papy Ndikumana, widely recognized as Papy Jamaica, an audiovisual producer engaged by the National Assembly of Burundi, was taken into custody on Monday, October 12, 2026. The arrest occurred on the premises of the institution in Bujumbura, the nation's commercial capital. Agents from the National Intelligence Service (SNR) carried out the detention, reportedly acting on direct orders from Gélase Daniel Ndabirabe, the Speaker of the National Assembly.

This action followed a meeting concerning an ongoing dispute between Papy Jamaica and two technicians affiliated with the National Assembly. While initial reports circulated suggesting the head of communications, Aimée Nshimirimana, was instrumental in the arrest, sources close to the situation have clarified that she was not behind the detention. The incident quickly drew attention, shedding light on the tensions that had been brewing prior to the producer's apprehension.

Papy Jamaica's role involved maintaining the National Assembly's audiovisual equipment under a substantial monthly contract valued at 15 million Burundian francs. His responsibilities also extended to training staff in live broadcasting parliamentary proceedings and other events held within the Assembly's rented facilities. To assist him, Aimée Nshimirimana had designated two technicians: Eraste Nduwayo, her deputy, and David Nzeyimana, who headed the institution's IT department.

Relations between the contractor and certain staff members had significantly deteriorated, according to National Assembly employees. Papy Jamaica faced accusations of insulting colleagues during meetings, allegedly using terms like "idiots" and "mediocre." Conversely, the producer accused Eraste Nduwayo and David Nzeyimana of sabotaging his work and demanding financial payments from him. Tensions reached a peak during the 18th African Union meeting on security and disarmament, hosted at the National Assembly from September 15 to 18, 2026. Papy Jamaica claimed to possess evidence, including payment slips, to support his allegations. While Eraste Nduwayo reportedly did not deny receiving sums up to 2.5 million Burundian francs, the context, frequency, and purpose of these payments remain unclear. Mentions of IP addresses in connection with sabotage claims also surfaced but could not be independently verified.

Two days before the arrest, on Saturday, October 10, Speaker Gélase Daniel Ndabirabe convened a meeting with Papy Jamaica and the Secretary General of the National Assembly upon his return from a mission. During this session, Papy Jamaica presented his accusations against the two technicians. The Speaker attempted to mediate the conflict, leading to apologies exchanged between the parties, who were then asked to formalize their reconciliation in writing. Despite this intervention, Papy Jamaica expressed an unwillingness to continue working with Eraste Nduwayo and David Nzeyimana. Crucially, his contract with the National Assembly had not been terminated at the time of his detention.

The circumstances surrounding the arrest of Amani Papy Ndikumana, or Papy Jamaica, raise significant questions regarding due process and the rule of law within Burundian state institutions. On Monday, October 12, the same day as the arrest, Speaker Gélase Daniel Ndabirabe convened another meeting, notably attended by agents of the National Intelligence Service. It was at the conclusion of this meeting, around 5:00 p.m., that SNR agents took Papy Jamaica into custody directly from the Assembly premises.

Sources have attributed remarks to the Speaker advocating for severe punishment for the producer, citing a perceived lack of respect for the institutions, though the exact context of these statements remains unverified. This direct involvement of a high-ranking official in ordering the detention of a contractor through the National Intelligence Service, rather than through standard legal channels, highlights a concerning pattern. This incident underscores the significant risks faced by contractors operating with Burundian state institutions, where disputes can escalate into extra-judicial actions and arbitrary detention, bypassing established legal frameworks. Such actions can have profound implications for business operations and personal liberty, emphasizing the critical need for robust contractual protections and a deep understanding of the political sensitivities inherent in such engagements.

Lawyers advising contractors or service providers operating with Burundian state institutions should be acutely aware of the potential for extra-judicial actions, including arbitrary detention, in the event of disputes, particularly when high-ranking officials are involved. This incident highlights significant rule of law and due process risks that could impact business operations and personal liberty, necessitating robust contractual protections and an understanding of political sensitivities.

Source: Original reporting via SOS Médias Burundi