Burundi: Soldiers Ndikumasabo Manirambona Confessions on Plot

• Burundian authorities presented Chief Warrant Officer Désiré Ndikumasabo and retired Corporal Jean-Marie Manirambona to the press, accusing them of plotting to overthrow the government.
• The two soldiers were arrested on August 25, 2026, along with four others, and later transferred to the National Intelligence Service (SNR) headquarters.
• Ndikumasabo publicly confessed to telephone contact with journalist Bob Rugurika, claiming Rugurika asked him to recruit soldiers and that he received money for this purpose.
• Authorities allege the men disseminated false information, but their public statements and official accusations do not yet constitute legal proof of guilt.
• The case raises concerns about due process and transparency, given the public nature of the confessions and the lack of public explanation for key aspects of the investigation.

The transfer of the accused to the Burundi National Intelligence Service (SNR) and the public nature of their "confessions" before any formal legal proceedings underscore potential issues of politically motivated charges and the integrity of the judicial process.

Burundian authorities recently presented two soldiers, Chief Warrant Officer Désiré Ndikumasabo and retired Corporal Jean-Marie Manirambona, to the press, accusing them of involvement in a plot to recruit military personnel for a rebellion aimed at overthrowing the government. The Ministry of Security spokesperson, Pierre Nkurikiye, stated that the men were collaborating with journalist Bob Rugurika in this alleged scheme. This public display on Tuesday, September 2, 2026, followed their arrest a week prior, on August 25.

The initial arrest involved six individuals, including Ndikumasabo, Manirambona, three other soldiers, and a police officer. They were apprehended near Chez Rukara in the Buterere zone, north of the commercial capital, by police officers accompanied by members of the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling CNDD-FDD party. The group was initially suspected of holding a clandestine meeting. During subsequent interrogations, investigators reportedly focused on their potential communications or collaboration with Bob Rugurika, director of African Public Radio (RPA), and Pacifique Nininahazwe, president of the Forum for Conscience and Development (FOCODE), as well as any links to armed groups.

Following their initial detention, the three other soldiers and the police officer were released, leaving only Désiré Ndikumasabo and Jean-Marie Manirambona in custody. On August 27, just two days after their arrest, both men were transferred from the Ntahangwa district police station in northern Bujumbura to the headquarters of the Burundi National Intelligence Service (SNR). It was at the SNR headquarters in Bujumbura that they were publicly presented on September 1, one week after their initial apprehension, where their alleged confessions were highlighted.

During this presentation, Ndikumasabo publicly stated that he had been in telephone contact with journalist Bob Rugurika, who he claimed asked him to assist in recruiting other soldiers. Ndikumasabo further alleged receiving 500,000 Burundian francs, followed by an additional 300,000 francs, as part of this purported collaboration, with the stated objective of overthrowing state institutions. He publicly apologized to his superiors for not reporting these contacts. Authorities also claimed that the two men had disseminated false information regarding 25 to 30 soldiers and various routes in southern Burundi. However, these assertions, including the Burundi soldiers Ndikumasabo Manirambona confessions, are currently based solely on official accusations and the public statements made by the two individuals, not yet constituting legal proof of guilt. Police sources also mentioned finding documents, including notebooks, in Manirambona's bag that allegedly refer to collaboration with rebel groups, but these were not publicly displayed. Manirambona himself confirmed he had left active military service less than a year prior.

The circumstances surrounding the Désiré Ndikumasabo Jean-Marie Manirambona arrest and subsequent public presentation raise significant questions regarding due process and transparency, particularly in light of broader Burundi human rights concerns. Authorities have not publicly explained why only Ndikumasabo and Manirambona remained detained after the initial group of six was questioned along similar lines, nor what specific evidence led to the charges against them. Furthermore, while Pacifique Nininahazwe's name was prominent in initial interrogations, it was notably less emphasized during the public presentation, adding to the lack of clarity.

The transfer of the accused to the Burundi National Intelligence Service (SNR) and the public nature of their "confessions" before any formal legal proceedings underscore potential issues of politically motivated charges and the integrity of the judicial process. Reports also indicate that one of the detainees may have a history of collaboration with Burundian intelligence services and alleged involvement in certain operations, adding another layer of complexity to the case. This situation highlights the critical need for independent oversight of the legal proceedings to ensure adherence to fair trial standards, especially given the controversial nature of such public statements in cases of alleged Burundi military plot charges. The lack of public presentation of alleged evidence, such as the documents reportedly found in Manirambona's possession, further contributes to concerns about the transparency of the investigation.

Lawyers should monitor the legal proceedings against Ndikumasabo and Manirambona for adherence to due process, given the controversial nature of their public 'confessions' and transfer to intelligence services. This case highlights the risks of politically motivated charges and potential human rights violations for clients operating in Burundi.

Source: Reporting based on information from SOS Médias Burundi.