EABW REPORTER

BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI - Some 23 Bangladeshi nationals were detained by the national police of Burundi since last week initially on suspicion that they entered central African nation illegally. Suspicion had been raised by the large number of foreign nationals apparently moving together.

According to police spokesperson Channel Ntarabaganyi, the detainees were said to have entered Burundi with fake travel documents. The Bangladeshi nationals are expected to be repatriated to their country following the recommendations of the Chicago conventions, the police said.

An Interpol source in Burundi revealed to East African Business Week that after questioning, it was discovered that the Bangladeshi had valid travel documents and visas for entry into Burundi.

However, the authorities became suspicious when it was discovered that their destination was South Africa. The authorities discovered that the detainees did not have valid Visas or air-tickets for South Africa and consequently detained them.

Apparently, 12 of these nationals were already in the country and were to be joined by the other 11 who had travelled through Uganda and Rwanda. Our reporter happened to travel with this contingent.

The police have alleged the existence of a ring in Burundi and South Africa that facilitates the procurement of fake travel documents for Asians wishing to travel to South Africa. Most traffickers reportedly hire boats that are used to transport their human cargo to Zambia. From Zambia, it is suspected they use the railway system to South Africa where upon they use the porous borders to gain entry into the country.

Other nationalities who are said to use this route are Somali and Eritreans.

Burundi has several foreign nationals living in the country, some legally and others illegally including Congolese and Asians.