Burundi’s military leadership has reiterated that soldiers are not allowed to hold ordinary passports, warning that violations will be met with disciplinary sanctions.
In a statement issued Thursday and signed by the army chief of staff, the Burundian Defence Force (FDNB) reminded all personnel—regardless of rank—that military members may not possess ordinary passports or other civilian travel documents.
The statement clarifies that the service passport is the only authorized travel document for soldiers traveling abroad on official duty. These passports are issued exclusively by authorized services, following requests from the FDNB command and established administrative procedures.
For private travel abroad, soldiers must first obtain authorization from the FDNB command, which then submits the request to the relevant authorities. Soldiers are not allowed to apply for ordinary passports on their own.
The army also ordered all soldiers currently holding ordinary passports or similar documents to surrender them to the FDNB General Staff’s Personnel Administration Service no later than February 10, 2026.
Any violation will be treated as a disciplinary offense under existing laws and military regulations. Commanders at all levels have been instructed to enforce the directive strictly, according to the statement.
Speaking at a press conference following the announcement on Friday, army spokesperson Gaspard Baratuza said the reminder was prompted by administrative irregularities in the passport issuance system.
“Authorities in charge of issuing travel documents notified us that some soldiers, despite holding service passports, were applying for ordinary passports,” Baratuza said “This is not fair, as it takes slots away from ordinary citizens who are entitled to them.”
Addressing reports of soldiers deserting the army, he denied any link between the directive and alleged departures. “Desertions are not new. Cases of one or two soldiers leaving are normal, and the army continues to recruit and replace personnel as needed,” he said.
He added, “Leaving the army is a personal choice, and anyone who wishes to resign may do so according to proper procedures. Those who leave without following the rules face military or civilian justice.”
The FDNB emphasized that the directive is purely administrative, aimed at safeguarding the integrity of travel document issuance, rather than addressing security or personnel concerns.
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