Rwandan National Dies in Military Custody in Kinshasa

By Justinmind HARERIMANA

A Rwandan citizen, Rutayisire Jean Marie Vianney, has died while in custody at the Democratic Republic of Congo’s military intelligence detention facility (DEMIAP) in Kinshasa, officials confirmed on October 1, 2025.

Rutayisire was arrested in South Kivu in November 2022 after being reported by Congolese nationals. At the time, he was supervising a road construction project in the province on behalf of the Rwandan engineering company Epos.

Authorities in the DRC accused him of espionage for Rwanda, a charge frequently brought against Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese citizens amid worsening bilateral relations. While many of those accused have faced death sentences, Rutayisire was never brought to trial.

On October 1, Dr. Awazi Raymond, president of the Congolese community in Rwanda, condemned the treatment of Rwandans in the DRC, contrasting it with how Congolese nationals are received in Rwanda. “Take the case of Mr. Alfred Kalumire, a Congolese entrepreneur who secured a major contract to install road signage in Rwanda. He was even awarded a trophy by the Ministry of Defense in recognition of his professionalism,” Dr. Awazi said.

Rutayisire’s death highlights a broader pattern of fatalities inside DEMIAP facilities, where detainees have reportedly suffered torture, abuse, and harsh conditions. Among the most prominent recent cases was Lt Gen (Rtd) Sikatenda Shabani, a former Chief of Staff of the Congolese Armed Forces (2003–2009), who also died while in military custody.