In Burundi, an administrative official, the advisor in charge of administrative and social affairs in the Rugombo commune, in the north-west of the country, was arrested on Monday, September 30, for having celebrated the civil marriage of a man in uniform. karateka, in a reception room in Cibitoke.
2 mins
The arrest has caused a buzz since the start of the week on Burundian social networks. However, the wedding went off without a hitch, until a photo published in a post on the X network ruined everything.
In the photo, there is a man standing, in a white kimono and black belt – manager of a village hall in his state and passionate about karate – in front of an administrative official in the process of marrying him to his fiancée, in a white dress from the more conventional.
The photo will immediately spark clicks and endless debates about the rather unusual outfit for such an event. Some are for, others against.
The head of the office responsible for political and social affairs at the presidency, Jean-Claude Ndenzako Karerwa, does not hide his disapproval in a post where he attacks those who accepted that such a ceremony took place.
“ For me, they did something wrong! “, he decides, wondering how the Burundians were going to preserve their “ cultural identity » if we endorse “ such inappropriate clothing choices “.
These comments will reignite the controversy on social networks.
Two days later, Patrick Icoyitungiye, who married the couple – who had become famous in spite of himself – was arrested and imprisoned in a cell at the Cibitoke police station where he had been languishing for six days.
A judicial source assures that “ the order to stop him came from above “. Since then, the local police have been in a quandary… they have not yet found grounds for charges, specifies the source, the Burundian civil code being silent on the outfit of the bride and groom on their wedding day or on the place where this must be celebrated.
Also readBurundi: President Ndayishimiye affirms that justice is under orders