Law enforcement in Burundi

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The main police force in Burundi is the National Police of Burundi (PNB). It operates under the Ministry of Public Security and is separate from the country’s intelligence service (SNR).

History and role in brief: During Belgian rule, law enforcement was the Force Publique, known as Bamina. After independence in 1962, the National Gendarmerie handled security and later became part of the army. A civilian police force, the Public Security Police, was re-created in 1990. The PNB was created in December 2004 to unify policing under one leadership. It has several missions and five regional offices, with many officers based in Bujumbura and other big towns. The police are armed and Burundi has worked with international groups; Burundi has been a member of INTERPOL since 1970 and PNB officers have served in UN missions.

Problems and public trust: Corruption is a major issue. A 2014 Afrobarometer survey found the PNB widely seen as the most corrupt public service, and Transparency International reported that over 80% of Burundians believed police corruption existed. The government has sought help from foreign partners to fight corruption. There are formal oversight bodies like a police ombudsman and the attorney general, but their effectiveness is limited.

Perceptions and human rights: The U.S. State Department has said the PNB includes many former rebels and lacks accountability and capacity in some areas. Despite concerns, many Burundians expressed some confidence in the police in 2014. The PNB was used to suppress anti-government protests in 2015, drawing criticism for violence from Human Rights Watch. In 2016, the UN repatriated 280 Burundian police from a mission over abuses, and Burundi declined a UN offer to deploy more UN police. Reports of abuses continued into 2018.