Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUJUMBURA327
2007-05-04 07:13:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Bujumbura
Cable title:  

BURUNDI: HUSSEIN RADJABU ARRESTED AND JAILED IN

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL BY 
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DE RUEHJB #0327/01 1240713
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 040713Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0258
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
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RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
S E C R E T BUJUMBURA 000327 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
NOFORN
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/C AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/05/04
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: BURUNDI: HUSSEIN RADJABU ARRESTED AND JAILED IN
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

REF: A. BUJUMBURA 306


B. BUJUMBURA 309

Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Patricia Moller for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

S E C R E T BUJUMBURA 000327

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
NOFORN
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/C AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/05/04
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: BURUNDI: HUSSEIN RADJABU ARRESTED AND JAILED IN
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

REF: A. BUJUMBURA 306


B. BUJUMBURA 309

Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Patricia Moller for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Summary. The controversial former CNDD-FDD party
president, Hussein Radjabu, is imprisoned in solitary
confinement at Bujumbura,s Mpimba Central Jail. Radjabu,s
arrest on Friday, April 27 is the result of an inquiry by the
Prosecutor General,s office concerning taped evidence of
Radjabu,s intent to disrupt national security through an
armed rebellion. No formal charges have yet been made
public. The incarceration of Radjabu followed three days of
meticulous judicial and political proceedings to ensure the
transparency and legality of government actions. Radjabu
was finally taken into custody at his residence upon the
National Assembly,s unanimous decision to lift his immunity
against prosecution. The very visible and extensive presence
of Burundi,s national police force and security services
discouraged any threat of violence or civil unrest. Burundi,
and Bujumbura in particular, remains calm with the populace
generally relieved and satisfied with Radjabu,s detention.
End Summary


2. (SBU) On the evening of April 27, Burundi,s national
police and security services arrested former CNDD-FDD ruling
party president, Hussein Radjabu, and escorted him to the
Mpimba central jail in Bujumbura. Prior to his arrest, on
three separate occasions over two days, the Prosecutor
General, Jean-Bosco Ndikumana, summoned Radjabu to answer
questions regarding the recording of a speech by Radjabu to
representatives of CNDD-FDD,s demobilized soldiers
expressing his desire to start an armed rebellion. The third
request for his appearance arrived soon after the Bureau
(leaders) of Burundi,s National Assembly unanimously lifted
Radjabu,s parliamentary immunity. Upon the lifting of his
immunity, Ndikumana issued a warrant for Radjabu,s arrest as
well as a warrant to search the former party president,s
home. Ndikumana's ultimate order for Radjabu's appearance

went unanswered for several hours whereupon security forces
entered Radjabu's residence and delivered him to the
Prosecutor General's office and onward to Mpimba. Radjabu
latered claimed illness as the reason for his delay in
responding to the summons. Although no charges have been
made public, it is believed that Radjabu will be accused of
violating Burundi,s criminal code, Article 412, by
attempting to disrupt the internal security of the state.


3. (SBU) With Radjabu,s residence encircled by an armada
of national police, security service personnel systematically
searched the premises for nearly three hours, finally carting
away a computer and various documents for delivery to the
Prosecutor General,s office. According to news sources, the
search was conducted in the presence of Radjabu and his
family to avoid any accusations of wrongdoing or
indiscriminate pillaging by government forces. The
president of a local non-governmental organization (NGO) for
the protection of human rights commended the Prosecutor
General,s office for respecting all judicial processes in
adjudicating Radjabu,s case and asked for the same diligence
as the proceedings move forward. Current CNDD-FDD party
president, Jeremie Ngendakumana, opined that the ruling party
has always supported judicial independence and that all
persons must answer for their acts.


4. (SBU) Hussein Radjabu is being held in solitary
confinement at Bujumbura,s Mbimpa central prison. He
arrived at the jail, reportedly in tears, to the jeers of
onlookers and his jailers. Sources close to prison officials
report that fellow inmates, reported to be FNL members, have
threatened Radjabu. Radjabu,s lawyers have nonetheless
complained that his solitude is tantamount to inhumane
treatment as he is only permitted ten minutes a day outside
of his cell. They,ve asked that he be treated as any other
inmate. The former CNDD-FDD strongman is also refusing to
eat for fear that his food is being poisoned. Radjabu
continues to claim that his imprisonment or his possible
disappearance will not resolve anything. As he previously
divulged to Radio France International (RFI) in the days
prior to his arrest, he claimed that plans are already in
motion and his followers are ready to support his movement,
particularly in his native province of Muyinga. Despite
these threats of destabilization, Burundi remains free of
violence and is calm.



5. (S/NF) Comment: The majority of the population is openly
acknowledging the arrest of Hussein Radjabu as a significant
step forward in protecting Burundi,s post-conflict
stability. Although many analyzed Radjabu,s antics, plans
and threats as the products of internal CNDD-FDD ruling party
politics, the concerns more frequently expressed are
Radjabu,s connections to Muslim elements outside of Burundi
and the fear of possible terrorist factions operating within
the country. It is also popularly believed that the Burundi
government will use the opportunity of Radjabu,s
incarceration to accuse him of participation in other high
profile criminal cases, including the sale of the
Presidential jet, various embezzlement schemes, and the
extra-judicial killings in Muyinga. The list of charges
against Hussein Radjabu may ultimately be very long.


6. (S/NF) There are unconfirmed local media reports,
quoting reliable sources,, suggesting South African
involvement in earlier plans to evacuate Radjabu to the
Democratic Republic of the Congo in anticipation of his
ultimate arrest. No other details have been provided;
however it is rumored that certain South African elements
would benefit financially from Radjabu,s continued position
of influence and power in Burundi. There is no confirmation
of the veracity of this report. End Comment.
MOLLER