Three Burundian journalists were arrested while covering an event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country. They were initially detained at the ministry, later transferred to the National Intelligence Service, and eventually released. It is reported that they were accused of filming without authorization.
This incident occurred on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in Bujumbura. The journalists had gone to cover a visit by Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
According to SOS Médias Burundi, which reported the story, the journalists were first detained at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being taken to the National Intelligence Service (SNR). They were later released in the evening.
The journalists arrested were Papy Jamaica, whose real name is Amani Papy Ndikumana, the director of Papy Jamaica Video Productions in Bujumbura, a company that employs young people in the area; and Tchandrou Nitanga, a photographer working for Agence France-Presse (AFP), who also collaborates with Papy Jamaica.
SOS Médias Burundi reports that the arrests began when Papy Jamaica activated his Starlink internet connection. The three media professionals were waiting to attend a press conference to be held by the European Commissioner after her meeting with Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Édouard Bizimana.
Reports indicate that the minister allegedly ordered the journalists’ arrest. Other sources claim that “unauthorized filming” was the reason given by authorities.
The three men were also given strict instructions prohibiting them from collaborating with foreign media outlets or receiving funds from them. Their phones were searched and confiscated by intelligence officials.
Witnesses and a representative of the European Union delegation in Burundi said the journalists “were released at around 9:15 p.m.”
RADIOTV10
