Eight Arrested, Six Released: Why Are Augustin and Nzaboninka Still Being Detained in Bunia?

Minembwe Capital News

A military officer holding the rank of Colonel, known as Richard and belonging to the Banyamulenge community, who had been detained for some time in Bunia Prison, in Ituri Province, has been released.

However, the release of Col. Richard has left another issue raising serious concerns: Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka, two Banyamulenge men who have been detained in Bunia for more than two months, remain in custody.

Information gathered by Minembwe Capital News indicates that Col. Richard had been detained, among other reasons, because he was acquainted with Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka, the two Banyamulenge men who were already in detention.

Although Col. Richard was eventually released, Augustin and Nzaboninka remain detained, raising questions about the exact reasons why the two men continue to be held in Bunia.

Two Banyamulenge Men Have Been Detained for More Than Two Months

Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka were arrested at the beginning of June 2026. Information available to MCN indicates that they were arrested together with six other people, bringing the total number of detainees to eight.

Following their arrest, six of them were released, leaving Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka in detention.

Since then, the two men have spent more than two months in custody, while questions and concerns continue to surround the allegations against them.

Were They Detained Over Alleged Links to M23?

Information gathered by MCN indicates that one of the reasons for their detention was suspicion that they had been involved in sending money to M23.

However, people familiar with the men’s activities say that they have traditionally been involved in business activities, including sending and receiving money through Congo’s M-Pesa service.

It is reported that while carrying out this work, the authorities who arrested them suspected that some of the money they sent or received could have been intended for M23.

However, information available to MCN indicates that the two men denied the allegations, maintaining that claims that they were sending money to M23 were unfounded, and that their ordinary work of transferring and receiving money through M-Pesa should not automatically be considered evidence of cooperation with an armed group.

At present, the key question remains what concrete evidence is being relied upon to keep Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka in detention, and why the six other people arrested alongside them were released while the two men remain in custody.

Col. Richard Was Also Detained for Being Acquainted With Them

The release of Col. Richard has once again raised questions about how individuals are being investigated and detained by security authorities.

Information gathered by MCN indicates that Col. Richard had also been detained, principally on the grounds that he was acquainted with Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka.

After spending time in detention, Col. Richard was released.

But the question concerning the two men he was acquainted with remains: why are Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka still being detained while Col. Richard has been released?

This question is among the reasons why some Banyamulenge continue to express concerns about the manner in which some members of their community are being investigated and detained by security authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Eight Were Arrested, Six Were Released

One of the key aspects of this case is that Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka were not the only people arrested.

They were arrested together with six other individuals, bringing the total number of detainees to eight.

Following their arrest, six were released, while Augustin and Nzaboninka remained in custody.

This has raised questions as to whether there is specific evidence distinguishing the two men from the six others who were arrested alongside them, and why such evidence has not been clearly made public.

Justice in the DRC Under Scrutiny

The case has once again fueled debate over the functioning of the justice system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly concerning the prolonged detention of individuals without being brought before a court or being clearly informed of the evidence against them.

For those closely following the detention of Banyamulenge individuals, there are concerns that some people may be investigated based on their relationships with others, their background, or their ordinary activities, rather than each individual being assessed on the basis of evidence directly related to them.

If Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka are responsible for the offenses they are accused of, the critical issue is that the evidence supporting those allegations should be presented before the judicial authorities, and that they should be tried in accordance with the law.

If there is insufficient evidence, however, continuing to detain them for an extended period also raises concerns regarding the protection of their rights.

At present, the main demand from those following the case is that Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka be brought before the competent judicial authorities in accordance with the law, clearly informed of the charges against them and the evidence supporting those charges, or released if there are no legally valid grounds for continuing to detain them.

The release of Col. Richard, following a period of detention reportedly linked to his relationship or acquaintance with Augustin Ndayizeye and Nzaboninka, further underscores the need for detailed and clear explanations regarding the continued detention of the two men.

Minembwe Capital News