By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga: Burundian
President Evariste Ndayishimiye has this week granted a presidential pardon to
journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who was serving a 10-year prison sentence. This
move comes as concerns mount over the deteriorating state of press freedom in
many African nations, with Burundi standing as a stark example of the
challenges faced by journalists across the continent.
The
pardon was made public through a presidential order issued on Wednesday 14th
August, 2024, marking a significant moment in a case that has drawn
international attention. Irangabiye, a well-known talk show host for Igicaniro
Radio, an online platform operating from outside Burundi, was arrested in
August 2022 after returning to the country from Rwanda, where she had been
living in exile.
Her
arrest and subsequent conviction on charges of undermining national security
and collaborating with armed groups sparked widespread condemnation, with many
arguing that she was targeted simply for her work as a journalist.
The
superior court of Ntahangwa sentenced Irangabiye to a decade in prison, a
ruling that ignited outrage among journalists' associations and human rights
organizations. These groups campaigned tirelessly for her release, viewing her
incarceration as part of a broader trend of repression under the current
Burundian government. Irangabiye’s case became a rallying point for advocates
of press freedom, highlighting the perils faced by journalists who dare to
challenge the status quo in repressive regimes.
Speaking
to reporters outside Bubanza Prison after her release on Friday, Irangabiye
expressed profound relief and gratitude.
"This is the news my family has been
waiting for," she said. "I am very happy and have a lot to say. I am
going to rejoin my family and meet my children again. I hope this is a special
day for them. August 16, 2024, will always be a special date in my life, a date
that will be part of my history in one way or another."
She
also reflected on her time in prison, describing it as a harrowing experience.
"This is not a place you would wish anyone to be, not even your enemies.
The pardon from President Evariste Ndayishimiye is something I will never
forget. I have been touched especially. I am grateful to local and
international human rights organizations that did a lot of advocacies on my
behalf for such a day to happen," she said.
Irangabiye’s
ordeal underscores the increasingly repressive environment for the press in
Burundi, a trend that has been growing since the era of former President Pierre
Nkurunziza. Under Nkurunziza, Burundi saw a dramatic crackdown on dissent, with
journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition figures frequently
targeted.
The media environment became suffocating, with
many journalists fleeing the country or resorting to self-censorship to avoid
persecution. Nkurunziza’s government was notorious for its heavy-handed
approach to any form of criticism, leading to a climate of fear and repression
that has continued under his successor.
Despite
initial hopes that President Ndayishimiye would usher in a new era of reform
and openness, his administration has struggled to shake off the legacy of his
predecessor.
While
Ndayishimiye has shown some willingness to engage with international partners
and address human rights concerns, his government has also continued to crack
down on dissent, particularly against journalists and activists.
The
release of Irangabiye may be seen as an attempt by Ndayishimiye to improve his
image and ease international pressure, but it also highlights the ongoing
struggles for press freedom in Burundi and beyond.
Irangabiye’s
release was met with jubilation by her family, colleagues, and supporters, who
had campaigned tirelessly for her freedom. Her colleagues at Igicaniro Radio
believe her arrest was a direct consequence of her reporting, a sentiment
echoed by many in the international community.
Jeremie Hatangimana, one of her colleagues,
called her release a victory for the free press. "We are happy and
grateful about the pardon and release, but this should not have happened in the
first place," he said.
The
news of her pardon quickly went viral on social media, with many expressing
relief and joy at her freedom. Justine Nkurunziza, a member of Inamahoro, a
women’s organization advocating for peace and security, voiced her gratitude
that Irangabiye would soon be reunited with her children.
"This is a moment of relief and
joy," she said. Irangabiye’s sibling, who preferred to remain anonymous,
was also overjoyed by the news. "We have been waiting for this moment for
two long years," she said.
However,
while the release of Irangabiye is a significant moment, it also serves as a
reminder of the broader issues facing the region. Burundian rights group
Ntabariza, which advocates on behalf of prisoners and their families, welcomed
her release but urged President Ndayishimiye to extend similar clemency to
other individuals they believe have been unjustly imprisoned, including another
journalist, Sandra Umuhoza.
Irangabiye's release brings the Burundian government’s approach to press freedom into sharp focus. The question remains whether President Ndayishimiye will seize this moment to genuinely improve the country’s human rights record or if this pardon will be a solitary gesture in a nation where free speech continues to be under threat.