Introduction: A Case That Is Shaking Burundi
On May 26, 2025, Burundian businessman Vincent Ndagijimana, originally from Kivuvu hill in Kayanza Province, was arrested by agents of the National Intelligence Service.
This arrest comes in the context of financial, political, and security conflicts surrounding the exploitation of coltan, a strategic mineral for Burundi’s economy and for the international electronics industry.
Vincent, who was preparing to participate in the 2025 legislative elections, was among the candidates of the CNDD-FDD party thanks to his reputation as an expert in mineral resources. Yet, despite his connections with certain government circles, he was apprehended on his native hill between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., before being transferred to the central headquarters of the National Intelligence Service in Bujumbura, where he remains detained.
This arrest raises several questions: how could an influential businessman connected to political leaders be neutralized? What secrets might Vincent have revealed? And above all, what truths about management and fraud in the mining sector could come to light?
The investigation presented here reveals a complex network of relationships between political power, economic actors, and security services, as well as the consequences of fraud and abuse on local populations.
I. Vincent Ndagijimana: Origins, Ambitions and the Mining Context
Vincent Ndagijimana is a native of Kivuvu hill in Kabarore commune, Kayanza Province, a region known for the richness of its coltan deposits, a strategic mineral for the global electronics industry.
In the past, the company COMEBU (Comptoirs Miniers des Exploitations du Burundi) exploited the minerals in the region, but its activities declined after the death of its historic director.
Aware of the economic potential of his region, Vincent began purchasing plots of land totaling around three hectares in order to develop his own mining projects. However, he did not possess an official license, which placed him in a position of dependence on new entrants in the sector.
In 2016, the company BME (Burundi Mining Export) arrived in the region. It is managed by two influential businessmen:
François Uwiragiye (MAYONDORI)
Réverien Hategekimana (AMASTEL)
BME concluded a subcontracting agreement with COMEBU, allowing the official resumption of mining operations in the deposits. The two directors were looking for a local partner who owned land rich in coltan, and Vincent Ndagijimana became this strategic partner.
The agreement provided for:
Vincent providing the land
BME carrying out the mining operations
Revenue sharing on an equal basis (50/50)
Vincent retained ownership of the land after exploitation and played a central role in identifying new mining sites.
Although profitable, this collaboration quickly became a source of tensions, both with local populations and with economic partners.
II. Pressure and Conflicts with Local Residents
The exploitation of coltan has led to conflicts with local residents. Several testimonies indicate that Vincent allegedly exerted pressure on landowners, sometimes accompanied by threats or legal actions, in order to gain access to mining sites.
An incident on September 30, 2022 illustrates these tensions: a woman named Espérance Nduwimana publicly addressed administrative authorities to denounce what she considered an injustice, claiming that her husband, Ndurenga Deo, had been imprisoned after a dispute with Vincent.
To control the flow of minerals and prevent smuggling into Rwanda, Vincent established a surveillance group composed of members of the Imbonerakure, equipped similarly to security forces and tasked with patrolling roads and borders.
On May 10, 2024, on Ryamukona hill, a 22-year-old young man named Nsabimana Philippe was killed by Imbonerakure linked to Vincent Ndagijimana, accused of attempting to transport coltan to Rwanda.
This event illustrates the seriousness of the tensions and the consequences of these control measures. We reported this case here: Kayanza Province: A Young Citizen Brutally Murdered by Imbonerakure in Kabarore – KUF-ASBL
III. BME Partners and the Financial Agreement with the President
Mayondori and Amstel, Vincent’s partners within BME, had maintained a direct relationship with the President of the Republic, Evariste Ndayishimiye, for several years.
According to several sources, an informal agreement existed under which the two businessmen would regularly provide a sum of money to the president in exchange for facilitation of their mining activities.
Over time, they allegedly began concealing the real quantity of coltan extracted, thereby reducing the revenue delivered to the president. Vincent, upon discovering this fraud, began informing the president directly that the extracted quantities were much higher than those declared and that the real revenues far exceeded what was being shared.
During a public meeting in Kayanza in December 2022, the president reportedly expressed his anger toward Mayondori and Amstel, addressing them publicly:
“Mayondori, why are you hiding the truth? Tell us where all this wealth has gone. And you, Amstel, explain where the coltan extracted from these numerous mines in Kayanza has gone.”
After this, Burundians were surprised to hear Vincent publicly declare that the level of mining production had significantly increased.
During a meeting between President Evariste Ndayishimiye and the population in Kirundo Province on December 30, 2022, Vincent stated that mining production had increased significantly thanks to measures taken to fight fraud.
According to him, production had increased from about 400 kilograms of minerals per month previously to between 25 and 30 tons per month after the implementation of new control measures.
At this point, an important question arises: where are these tons going, when no Burundian francs appear in the public treasury? Let us therefore continue with our investigation.
IV. The 50 Billion Case: A Major Financial Dispute
According to the terms of their initial agreement, revenues from mineral exploitation were to be shared equally: 50% for Vincent and 50% for BME, managed by Mayondori and Amstel.
However, over time Vincent allegedly noticed that the payments he received were far below the real profits generated by the exploitation of minerals.
He therefore began demanding explanations from his partners, claiming that many containers of coltan were being exported while his financial share remained extremely limited.
According to collected information, the amount Vincent believes he did not receive eventually reached more than 50 billion Burundian francs.
This major financial dispute is at the heart of what is now known as “the 50 billion case.”
François Uwiragiye (Mayondori) and Réverien Hategekimana (Amstel) allegedly began fraudulent practices, diverting part of the coltan to another cooperative artificially created in order to conceal the real quantity extracted and therefore provide a smaller amount to the president.
Kabarore mining site
V. The CDP Cooperative and the Concealment Mechanism
This cooperative is called CDP (Coopérative de Développement Populaire) and is managed by Amstel. It operates on the hills of Kidunduri and Mugera in Kabarore commune.
In reality, this cooperative does not directly exploit coltan but receives minerals diverted from BME. These minerals are first stored in Munege and then transported weekly to the transit center of Kiziba on Kirehe hill.
Vincent refused to tolerate these practices and demanded to be integrated into the CDP cooperative so that he could also receive his share of the revenues generated from minerals sold under the cooperative’s account.
At first, his partners refused.
After several days of discussions and pressure, Vincent finally succeeded in obtaining acceptance from his partners to integrate him as vice-director of CDP.
However, he continued to demand reimbursement of the 50 billion francs he claimed to be owed, without success.
VI. Attempts at Mediation at the Presidential Palace
Faced with the refusal of his partners to pay him this sum, Vincent decided to appeal directly to President Evariste Ndayishimiye so that he could intervene in the matter.
In March 2025, Vincent met with the president to explain in detail the conflict opposing him to his partners in the coltan exploitation business.
During this exchange, Vincent allegedly revealed additional practices used by BME managers to hide part of the real mineral production, including the mechanisms linked to the CDP cooperative.
These revelations reportedly angered the president.
According to several testimonies, the president told Vincent:
“My son, remain calm. They will not be able to dispossess you. I will personally follow this matter.”
After this meeting, the president reportedly instructed his civilian chief of staff, Brigadier General Aloys Sindayihebura, to follow the case.
On April 6, 2025, a first meeting was organized at the presidential palace.
Those summoned included:
Vincent Ndagijimana
François Uwiragiye (Mayondori)
Réverien Hategekimana (Amstel)
Other mining operators were also invited as mediators:
Marc Manirakiza (Pochen), mining operator in Busiga, Ngozi Province
Sylvestre Niyonsaba, mining operator in Murehe, Kirundo Province
Audace, manager of the Hotel Paradis in Kayanza
According to consulted sources, up to four meetings took place, but no agreement was reached.
A major question therefore arises: why was a case involving billions and suspected fraud not directly referred to the judiciary but instead discussed in the president’s office?
VII. Influence Over the Intelligence Services
After Vincent approached the presidency and revealed sensitive information, the situation reportedly took a new turn.
Mayondori and Amstel allegedly realized that Vincent had begun disclosing information about the real management of mining revenues.
According to several sources, they then decided to involve the intelligence services to exert pressure on him.
In this context, they reportedly approached the head of the National Intelligence Service, General Ildephonse Habarurema, in order to find a solution to neutralize Vincent.
During May 2025, Vincent was reportedly summoned several times to the offices of the National Intelligence Service.
According to testimonies, these interrogations often ended late in the evening.
He was reportedly released several times between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. after long hours of questioning.
At one point, General Ildephonse Habarurema allegedly confiscated Vincent’s phone, increasing his concerns.
Vincent reportedly informed the president about these pressures, and the president requested that his phone be returned, which was eventually done.
Despite this, Vincent began expressing serious fears for his safety, believing that an attempt might be made on his life.
VIII. Arrest of Vincent Ndagijimana
Finally, on May 26, 2025, Vincent Ndagijimana was arrested by agents of the National Intelligence Service.
He was apprehended on Kivuvu hill between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. before being transferred to the central headquarters of the intelligence service in Bujumbura, where he is currently detained.
This arrest raises several questions:
Why did these businessmen make such efforts to have Vincent imprisoned?
What truths about the exploitation of minerals could still emerge from this case?
Why do certain actors appear determined to prevent this information from becoming public?
IX. Vincent’s Nomination on the Legislative Election List
Before concluding this investigation, it is important to revisit Vincent Ndagijimana’s nomination on the list for the legislative elections.
In Parliament, deputies regularly ask the same question:
Why do the country’s mineral resources not generate more visible revenue for the state?
The budget line for minerals remained at zero for several years, even though significant revenues were expected.
According to information collected by King Umurundi Freedom, this question reportedly triggered significant discussions within the CNDD-FDD party.
In this context, some officials reportedly believed it would be useful to have in Parliament a person considered an expert in the mining sector.
It was therefore in this context that Vincent Ndagijimana was chosen by President Evariste Ndayishimiye to appear on the list of CNDD-FDD candidates for the 2025 legislative elections.
However, this decision was reportedly not well received by his partners Mayondori and Amstel.
They allegedly feared that once elected as a deputy, Vincent might reveal additional secrets related to coltan and the financial management of BME.
They reportedly began preparing maneuvers to prevent him from entering Parliament, in coordination with the head of the National Intelligence Service, General Ildephonse Habarurema, in order to neutralize his ability to disclose this information.
According to this analysis, if these actors succeed in keeping Vincent detained until the legislative elections, they may achieve their objective.
They could then seize his assets, including coltan mining sites, and confiscate revenues owed to him.
X. Security Concerns and Call for Justice
We call for the immediate protection of Vincent Ndagijimana, so that he does not become a victim of intimidation or physical elimination.
All actions and decisions related to his arrest must be publicly justified by the authorities, as it is the responsibility of the president to guarantee his safety.
If he is to be imprisoned for fraud in this sector, Vincent Ndagijimana should not be held solely by the intelligence services.
The justice system should intervene in order to hold accountable all those involved in these frauds and abuses, so as to respond to crimes committed in the mining sector and protect public assets.
It is urgent:
to protect Vincent Ndagijimana from any intimidation or elimination
to ensure transparency in the management of coltan
to allow the justice system to address fraud and abuses
Conclusion
The 50 billion case highlights:
fraud and concealment orchestrated by economic actors close to those in power
the possible involvement of President Evariste Ndayishimiye in practices linked to mineral exploitation
Beyond the case of Vincent Ndagijimana, this affair raises a fundamental question:
Who really controls Burundi’s mineral wealth, and for whose benefit?
This investigation is a call for transparency, justice, and accountability for all actors involved in the exploitation of Burundi’s mining resources.