The detention of a journalist by the National Intelligence Service in Burundi has sparked concerns over press freedom in the East African nation, according to family members speaking to AFP on Monday.
Sandra Muhoza, aged 42 and working for online outlet La Nova Burundi, was reportedly arrested on Sunday and is currently held in Bujumbura, the country’s economic capital.
“We are very worried about the arrest of our colleague because up until now we do not know why she has been arrested,” said La Nova director Pascal Ndayisenga.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye’s government, in power since June 2020, has faced criticism for its failure to address human rights issues in Burundi.
On Sunday, Catholic bishops in the country highlighted a culture of impunity, citing instances of killings and abductions for political reasons.
Muhoza, a mother of three, had responded to an interview invitation from a wealthy businessman affiliated with the ruling CNDD-FDD party, a family member disclosed.
After receiving no word from Muhoza on Saturday, her husband was informed via phone message on Sunday that she was detained at the central offices of the intelligence service, leaving the family worried yet relieved by the confirmation of her well-being.
This incident adds to the ongoing threats faced by journalists in Burundi, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noting a climate of fear among media workers. In 2023, journalist Floriane Irangabiy e was sentenced to 10 years in prison under unclear charges. The Catholic Episcopal Conference of Burundi (CECAB) condemned extrajudicial killings and expressed concerns about efforts to impose a one-party system, urging a political environment that accommodates diverse viewpoints.
President Ndayishimiye succeeded Pierre Nkurunziza and won an election marred by opposition claims of irregularities. Despite efforts to reverse Burundi’s isolation, concerns persist over human rights abuses and restrictions on press freedom, prompting alarm from international bodies such as the United Nations.
