Burundi police hold 21 residents over fertiliser protest

At least 21 residents of Rango hill, in the Murago zone of Nyabihanga commune in Gitega province, central Burundi, remain detained after protesting the distribution of insufficient quantities of chemical fertiliser. The first arrests came on Saturday 31 October, when Léa Nijimbere, the ruling CNDD-FDD party's representative on the hill, and Bernard Barihinyuza, the hill chief, were taken into custody. 16 more residents were arrested on Friday 6 November.

Residents say households paid for fertiliser expecting 16 kilograms each, but some received less. The protest turned into confrontations with local officials, and stones broke windows at the zone office. Local sources say members of the Imbonerakure, the youth league of the ruling party, took part in the arrests, which the detainees are holding at the commune jail. The Association for the Fight Against Unemployment and Torture (ALUCHOTO) says the arrests were irregular and demands the unconditional release of everyone detained.

ALUCHOTO's coordinator, Vianney Ndayisaba, said by phone on Thursday 12 November that at least 21 people, including four women and three infants, were still held. Similar fertiliser protests were reported in Busangana, in Matongo commune, on 26 October, and in Kabanga, in Rutana commune, on 30 October, where roads were blocked until a fertiliser truck arrived.

Why it mattersHouseholds that paid for fertiliser and received less are facing detention, and three infants are being held with their mothers at the commune jail.

Sources