Press freedom under fire: Reporters arrested in Burundi amid EU commissioner’s tour

The reporters, whose identities include both local and foreign nationals, were detained while shadowing Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management. The group was covering Lahbib’s visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when they were intercepted by security forces.

​Detained at Intelligence Headquarters

According to reports from SOS Médias Burundi, the journalists were promptly transferred to the National Intelligence Service (SNR). As of Thursday morning, no formal charges have been announced, and the specific grounds for their detention remain unclear.

​The arrests come at a delicate moment for the Burundi government. Commissioner Lahbib arrived in Bujumbura on Wednesday as part of a three-nation tour aimed at addressing humanitarian crises and regional stability. She arrived from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and is scheduled to continue her mission in Rwanda.

​A Climate of Repression

The incident has sparked immediate condemnation from press freedom advocates, who view the move as an escalation of the government's hostile stance toward independent reporting.

​"Arresting journalists in the middle of a high-level diplomatic visit sends a chilling message," said a local media analyst who requested anonymity for safety reasons. "It suggests that even under the international spotlight, the authorities feel emboldened to bypass due process."

​Diplomatic Implications

The European Union has long been a critical donor and partner for Burundi, though relations have been strained by human rights concerns. While the EU delegation has yet to issue a formal statement on the arrests, the incident is expected to dominate the remainder of Lahbib's regional tour.