Burundian citizen MANIRAKIZA Jean Marie Vianney, aged 41, is reported to have been arrested and taken to an unknown location by individuals presented as members of the intelligence services.
Originally from Muremera Hill, former Giheta commune, Gitega Province, Mr. MANIRAKIZA is married and works as a geologist for BUCECO, located in the former Cibitoke Province.
Politically, he is a former member of the National Congress for Freedom (CNL) and is close to Honorable Agathon Rwasa.
Circumstances of the arrest
According to relatives, Mr. MANIRAKIZA usually resides in the Gihosha area of Bujumbura and regularly travels to his family home on weekends before returning to work in Cibitoke.
On Monday, May 11, 2026, in the morning, after arriving at his workplace, he was reportedly sent on a field mission to the locality of Binyange in Cibitoke Province. After completing this assignment, he was allegedly intercepted near the Cibitoke market while returning to his place of work.
Witnesses state that around 11:16 a.m., intelligence agents who appeared to have been waiting for him forced him into their vehicle and took him to an unknown destination. Since then, no official information has been provided regarding his place of detention or his condition.
Concern from relatives
Those close to Mr. MANIRAKIZA believe this arrest is not related to his professional duties. They explain that immediately after the incident, inquiries were made with his employer, who reportedly stated that they were not responsible for the arrest and did not know the reasons behind it.
This lack of information has caused deep concern among his family and close associates, who fear for his safety and are calling for full clarification of his disappearance.
Mr. MANIRAKIZA’s relatives are urging the competent authorities to promptly disclose his place of detention and ensure his physical integrity. They are also calling on the National Independent Commission on Human Rights (CNIDH) to closely follow up on the case.