Burundi- The ruling CNDD-FDD party has come under fire for its targeted moves against the National Freedom Council (CNL), which finished second in the 2020 elections. The CNL accused the government of election fraud at the time. In 2023, the Ministry of Interior suspended the CNL, citing “irregularities” in how it conducted internal meetings.
In a controversial political twist, CNL leader Agathon Rwasa—once a powerful opposition voice and former rebel commander—was ousted while abroad. His replacement, Nestor Girukwishaka, a former minister closely aligned with the ruling party, took over the leadership in what critics called a government-backed political coup.
Following the leadership shake-up, new rules were quickly enacted that barred Rwasa and his loyalists from running as independents or joining other political groups. These changes all but guaranteed that the CNDD-FDD would dominate the upcoming vote.
Economic Crisis Deepens Discontent in Burundi
The dire economic situation in Burundi is among the worst in the world. A prolonged fuel shortage has paralyzed transport and daily life for nearly three years, compounding existing problems like unemployment, weak infrastructure, and food insecurity. According to the World Bank, around two-thirds of Burundians live below the global poverty line of $2.15 per day.
When President Evariste Ndayishimiye took over in 2020 after the sudden death of former president Pierre Nkurunziza, there was cautious optimism that Burundi might move toward a more open political environment. However, observers say not much has changed.
“While Ndayishimiye may seem less autocratic than Nkurunziza, the repression continues,” said the analyst. “Journalists, activists, and opposition leaders remain under threat.”
One candidate in the current race, Patrick Nkurunziza of the opposition coalition “Burundi for All”, said his campaign had been severely hindered. “We’ve faced threats, harassment, and even physical attacks,” he told AFP. He pointed to the Imbonerakure, a government-aligned youth group long accused of political violence and intimidation.
In May, a coalition of local media executives accused the Imbonerakure of abducting and torturing a journalist who was reporting at the University of Burundi in Bujumbura. Such incidents have created an atmosphere of fear that stifles free expression and political participation.
The ongoing fuel shortage has also undermined the ability of opposition candidates to campaign effectively across the country. Travel is limited, logistics are challenging, and public engagement remains low due to economic hardship.
With Rwasa’s CNL out of the picture, political analysts believe the CNDD-FDD will cruise to victory. “In the absence of real opposition, this is not an election — it’s a formality,” the analyst said. “Most of the other candidates are just placeholders to make it look like democracy still exists in Burundi.”
Under the terms of the 2000 Arusha Peace Agreement, Burundi’s parliament must allocate 60% of its seats to members of the Hutu majority and 40% to the Tutsi minority. While this system helped end the civil war, it has also entrenched ethnic quotas and limited genuine political competition.
As Burundi heads into another election marked by repression, exclusion, and economic turmoil, the prospect of meaningful political reform appears dim. Hopes that Ndayishimiye presidency would mark a break from past authoritarianism have faded.
International observers and regional stakeholders are closely watching developments, but with limited leverage, their ability to influence outcomes remains uncertain.
Unless there is a dramatic shift in governance and economic strategy, Burundi is likely to continue facing political stagnation, deepening poverty, and widespread public disillusionment.
Source- EWN
