A moving message from a prisoner held at Mpimba Central Prison in Burundi has sparked debate online after it was shared publicly through the human rights organization FOCODE. The prisoner directly appealed to Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, urging him to move beyond emotional speeches and take concrete action against injustice within the country’s judicial system.
In the message, the prisoner referenced President Ndayishimiye’s recent surprise visit to a rabbit breeding center under construction in Karusi Province, where the president reportedly discovered failures and negligence by officials entrusted with public responsibilities.
The prisoner praised such unexpected visits, arguing that they allow the president to see realities that local officials often attempt to hide.
“You recently made a surprise visit to the construction site of a rabbit breeding center in Karusi. You saw how those entrusted with government responsibilities work. Not only that, you have visited many other places and discovered what those entrusted with responsibilities are hiding from you,” the message read.
According to the prisoner, these visits are important because they expose problems on the ground and challenge reports claiming that everything is functioning properly while ordinary citizens continue to suffer.
The prisoner also reminded President Ndayishimiye of the emotional moment early in his presidency when he gathered judicial officials and publicly wept over the injustice faced by Burundians.
“When we saw you cry, we believed things would change. But nothing changed,” the prisoner wrote.
The message reflects growing frustration among some Burundians who believe the country’s justice system still suffers from serious structural problems, including delayed trials, prolonged detention, and prisoners remaining behind bars even after court decisions ordering their release.
The prisoner then challenged the president to personally visit Mpimba Central Prison without prior notice.
“One morning, turn up at Mpimba Central Prison. Ask them to call all prisoners. Then ask court officials to line up. Create another line for prisoners who already completed their sentences. A third line should be for those who were granted bail but remain imprisoned,” the prisoner said.
The appeal went further, calling on prosecutors to explain how prisoners can remain detained after serving their official sentences or after being granted provisional release.
The prisoner insisted that symbolic emotion alone is meaningless without real reforms.
“Standing before judges and prosecutors and crying means nothing. They are already laughing at us. Come here and witness how we suffer from injustice. We do not need tears; we need action. That is what will save us,” the message concluded.
The statement has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users arguing that it highlights broader concerns about governance and accountability in Burundi’s justice system.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over prison conditions, delayed judicial processes, and allegations of unlawful detention in the country. Critics argue that meaningful reform will require more than public speeches or symbolic visits.
President Ndayishimiye has, in recent years, gained attention for conducting surprise inspections across different sectors of public administration. Supporters view these visits as evidence of a leader trying to stay connected to citizens’ realities. However, critics maintain that identifying problems is not enough unless authorities follow up with decisive reforms and accountability measures.
The prisoner’s message has once again brought national attention to questions surrounding justice, prison conditions, and the treatment of detainees in Burundi.
