Burundi’s ruling party, the CNDD-FDD, organized a show of force last Saturday in the new district of Rutana in the southeast of the country. The event paralyzed the economic activity in the region, with the forced closure of shops and stores and the installation of roadblocks on some roads.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

In their speeches, party officials made virulent remarks against the opposition, calling its members criminals without a vision for the society and accusing them of being the cause of insecurity in the run-up to the 2025 elections.

State resources mobilized and absentees targeted

According to several local sources, various CNDD-FDD officials used state vehicles to travel to this march, an act often denounced by the opposition as a misuse of public resources for partisan purposes.

During her speech, Doriane Munezero, National Secretary for Information and Communication within the CNDD-FDD, representing the party’s Secretary General, Révérien Ndikuriyo, issued a warning to the officials appointed by decree who were absent from the march. She stated that their absence could jeopardize the CNDD-FDD’s victory, emphasizing the need to remain mobilized to preserve the gains of the former Hutu rebellion.

« The CNDD-FDD saved Burundi from the abyss; we must not let victory escape us, » she insisted, calling for absolute loyalty from party officials.

A tense political climate

As the elections approach, the CNDD-FDD displays unwavering confidence, with several speakers even stating that victory is already assured. However, this type of statement raises concerns about the transparency of the electoral process.

Doriane Munezero also emphasized the party’s values, asserting that every courageous and hardworking Burundian must be able to develop.

In a climate where pressure on opponents and civil servants appears to be intensifying, this show of force suggests a highly tense election. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming months.

In three months, the small East African nation will hold legislative and district elections, which will take place separately from the 2027 presidential election, unlike previous elections.

……..

A CNDD-FDD rally in Makamba province in southern Burundi (SOS Médias Burundi)