The National Observatory for the Fight Against Transnational Crime (ONLCT) has expressed deep concern over the recent arrest of 58 Burundian nationals in Lusaka, Zambia, on November 2, 2024.
According to the ONLCT’s press release, the Burundians were apprehended during a large-scale operation dubbed “Spider” carried out by Zambian immigration authorities.
The crackdown, which took place in the Matero, Lilanda, Chazanga, and Emmasdate neighborhoods, along with the Comesa market area, also led to the arrest of 186 individuals of various nationalities, including 62 Tanzanians, 41 people fraudulently claiming Zambian nationality, 22 Congolese, two Ugandans, and one Rwandan.
All were detained without trial, raising serious concerns about the treatment of illegal migrants in Zambia.
The ONLCT has condemned the operation, noting that some local residents in Lusaka’s Matero district actively obstructed the Zambian police, creating confusion that allowed them to loot stores belonging to the detained individuals, including those of some arrested Burundians.
In a statement, Maître Prime Mbarubukeye, President and Legal Representative of ONLCT, called for immediate action from the Burundian government.
“We urge the government of Burundi to open diplomatic discussions with key destination countries for Burundian migrants, including Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, as well as countries in the Gulf region,” Mbarubukeye said.
He proposed the establishment of temporary reception centers for undocumented Burundian migrants, arguing that these facilities would offer a safer alternative to imprisonment while awaiting repatriation.
In addition, ONLCT called for an urgent review of Burundi’s online hearing system for travel document requests. The current process has been criticized as cumbersome and difficult to access for many Burundians, particularly those living in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.
“As it stands, many young Burundians, unable to obtain travel documents, opt for clandestine migration, exposing themselves to greater risks,” Mbarubukeye warned.
The ONLCT’s statement reflects growing concerns over the increasing number of Burundian irregular migrants abroad, often subjected to exploitation, violence, and even death.
The organization is calling on the government to address these issues and ensure better protection for its citizens abroad.
