«Free Mr. Ruboneka Musabwa Laurent»: Arbitrary Arrest of Banyamulenge Diplomat in Burundi Sparks International Condemnation

Bujumbura, Burundi; in an exclusive interview with Afrovera.com, CEO-Officer Jean De Dieu,Peace Ambassador of the Banyamulenge community in Australia, has publicly denounced the arbitrary and unlawful arrest of Mr. Ruboneka Musabwa Laurent, a prominent Banyamulenge leader and diplomatic staff member at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Bujumbura.

Mr. Ruboneka, who also serves as Secretary of the Mutualité Shikama (Banyamulenge survivors network), and is a survivor of the 2004 Gatumba genocide, was arrested without a warrant at his residence on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at approximately 7:00 AM by Burundian security forces, including plainclothes officers. The arrest occurred in the Rohero district, near the embassy premises known locally as Tingitingi.

Despite protests from Congolese embassy staff and Mr. Ruboneka’s own efforts to contact his superiors, he was forcibly taken and reportedly transferred to the General Headquarters of the Burundian military. Witnesses claim that the officers cited instructions from a delegation of intelligence agents from Kinshasa requesting to “speak with him.”

Grave Violations of National and International Law

The arrest has triggered strong condemnation from regional and international human rights observers, notably the Cradle for Human Rights and Peacebuilding (CHRP), which described the detention as “manifestly illegal” and in breach of multiple legal frameworks, including:

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961)

• Article 29: Ensures personal inviolability of diplomatic staff.
• Article 31: Grants immunity from arrest or detention to diplomatic agents.

 The Constitution of the Republic of Burundi

• Article 25: Guarantees the right to liberty and personal security.

 The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

• Article 6: Prohibits arbitrary arrest or unlawful detention.

CHRP’s statement further revealed that Mr. Ruboneka had been subjected to ongoing threats, fueled by unverified allegations circulated within intelligence circles and even among colleagues within the DRC embassy. The organization linked these acts to a broader pattern of ethnic-based targeting against the Banyamulenge, a minority group long persecuted across the Great Lakes region.

“This is not just a legal violation it’s an act of political and ethnic intimidation,” said CHRP in its call to action.

Afrovera Interview: An Urgent Plea from the Diaspora

Speaking from Australia, Ambassador Jean De Dieu expressed deep concern over Mr. Ruboneka’s safety, condemned what he called a calculated attempt to silence a genocide survivor, and respected civil servant.

“Mr. Laurent is not just a survivor he is a symbol of resilience. To target him is to target every Banyamulenge who dares to speak truth, dignity, and peace in the face of injustice,” he told Afrovera.

Ambassador Jean De Dieu called on the international community to intervene immediately:

What the Banyamulenge Community Demands

1. Immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Ruboneka Musabwa Laurent.
2. An independent and international investigation into the circumstances of his arrest and treatment while in custody.
3. Diplomatic sanctions and legal accountability for those involved in this violation of international law.
4. Protective measures for Banyamulenge diplomatic staff and civilians in the Great Lakes region.
5. Formal inquiries by the following international bodies:

• The African Union (AU)
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
• The East African Community (EAC)
• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

“If international protocols mean anything, now is the time to invoke them,” Jean De Dieu stated. “We demand action not statements.”

A Dangerous Precedent

Human rights observers warn that the unlawful arrest of a diplomatic employee under protected status may set a dangerous precedent if left unchallenged. Given the historical persecution of the Banyamulenge and the ongoing denial of their ethnic and civil rights in parts of Central Africa, this case may represent not just an isolated abuse but also a systemic assault on an entire community’s dignity.

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The World Is Watching

The arrest has sparked a surge in digital advocacy. Online campaigns under hashtags such as #FreeRuboneka, #JusticeForLaurent, #StopTheViolence, and #Banyamulenge continue to gain momentum, as activists, civil society, and diaspora leaders rally support.

NO CRIME. NO JUSTICE. NO PEACE UNTIL HE IS FREE.