Law enforcement in Burundi
The principle law enforcement agency in Burundi is the National Police of Burundi (French: Police nationale du Burundi, PNB). The police falls within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security.[1] It is separate from the National Intelligence Service (SNR), the state intelligence agency.
Origins
Under Belgian colonial rule (1916–62), law enforcement in Burundi was the responsibility of a small unit of the Force Publique which was a gendarmerie with a combined military function from the Belgian Congo. Its members were popularly known as Bamina in Burundi, after the large military base at Kamina in the Congo.[2]
Law enforcement fell under the mandate of the newly created National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie nationale) after Burundian independence in 1962. Although initially civilian-led, this became part of the army under the military dictatorships after 1967. A separate civilian police force was re-established in 1990 as the Public Security Police (Police de sécurité publique) which co-existed with the Gendarmerie.[2]
National Police of Burundi
The PNB was founded in December 2004, following the end of the Burundian Civil War and the Arusha Accords. Its stated objectives are the maintenance of public order, the protection of the population, and the fight against organised crime.[3] Its objective was to provide a single, integrated police force under the leadership of a single Directorate-General (Direction générale), replacing the previous system of administrative fragmentation.[2] The PNB is divided into missions, dealing with separate areas as well as five regional commissariats. The different services in 2014 were:[3]
- Internal Security Police (Police de sécurité intérieure)
- Judicial Police (Police judiciaire)
- Air Police (Police de l'Air)
- Border and Aliens Police (Police des frontières et des étrangers)
- Prison Police (Police pénitentiaire)
Most of Burundi's police force is concentrated in Bujumbura, the de facto capital city, and other major urban centres.[1] The PNB members are armed, often with "Kalashnikov-type assault rifles".[1]
Burundi has been a member of
Criticism
The PNB was frequently used to suppress anti-government protests during the
See also
- National Intelligence Service (SNR), the Burundian state intelligence agency;
- National Defence Force(FDN), the Burundian military.
- Guardians of the Peace, a state-led militia during the Burundian Civil War active 1997–2005
References
- ^ a b c d e "Burundi: information on the police, in particular its mandate, structure, geographical distribution, and reputation". Refworld. Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ a b c Bat, Jean-Pierre (19 June 2006). "La police nationale du Burundi : quelle force pour quel ordre ?". Libération—Africa4. Paris, France. Libération. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d Transparency International 2014, p. 4.
- ^ "Burundi". Interpol. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ a b "RCA : 280 policiers burundais suspendus". BBC Afrique. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ African Policing 2008, pp. 12–3.
- ^ "Burundi". Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. US Department of State. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Burundi: Deadly Police Response to Protests". Human Rights Watch. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "Burundi rejects UN police force to help end violence". BBC. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
Bibliography
- An Audit of Police Oversight in Africa. Cape Town: African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum. 2008. ISBN 978-1-920299-17-0.
- Étude sur les aspects de l'intégrité de la Police Nationale du Burundi (PDF). London: Transparency International (Defence). 2014. ISBN 978-0-9927122-2-8.