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Buhumuza : a pro-CNDD-FDD activist sows terror ahead of the 2025 elections

SOS Médias Burundi

A few months before legislative and district elections scheduled for 2025 in Burundi, residents of the Buhumuza region (eastern part of the country) are denouncing violent remarks and actions of an individual identified as Shabani Nimubona. Originally from Muyinga, he is accused of political harassment, hate speech, and intimidation against anyone who does not share his party line.

Buhumuza, April 15, 2025 – Concern is growing among the population of the future Buhumuza province, which will encompass the current provinces of Muyinga, Cankuzo, and Ruyigi. The cause : the actions of a zealous CNDD-FDD activist known as Shabani Nimubona. Described as an influential and feared figure in the region, he is accused of regularly issuing threats against members of other political parties in a tense pre-election climate.

During recent visits by the ruling party in several districts of Buhumuza, this man distinguished himself with violent language and exclusionary rhetoric against non-CNDD-FDD members. « Those who are not with us have no place in this country, » he reportedly declared publicly, adding that « sooner or later, they will be forcibly forced to join the ruling party. »

Local sources close to the party claim that Shabani Nimubona is seeking to gain attention in the CNDD-FDD leadership, even if it means adopting an extremist stance. He is described as unpredictable, intolerant, and contemptuous of anyone who opposes his ideas – including some officials in his own party, whom he accuses of being lax in « hunting down opponents. »

A context marked by a history of electoral violence

Shabani Nimubona’s methods are part of a tense political climate, where election-related violence is commonplace. For more than two decades, pre-election periods in Burundi have been regularly marked by arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, beatings, and intimidation targeting opponents, but also sometimes members of the ruling party accused of moderation.

Imbonerakure from Buhumuza in a military parade, under the supervision of Shabani Nimubona (SOS Médias Burundi)

In 2020, several reports from local and international organizations documented abuses committed by the Imbonerakure, the CNDD-FDD youth league, described by the UN as a paramilitary-like militia. This violence primarily affected members of the CNL (National Congress for Freedom) and their supporters, particularly in the northeastern provinces of Ngozi, Kirundo, Kayanza, and Muyinga. The pattern appears to be repeating itself as the 2025 elections approach, with increased mobilization of radical supporters, increasingly aggressive use of patriotic rhetoric, and the criminalization of any dissenting voice.

A disturbing background

Shabani Nimubona has a long history. Burundian organizations have already cited him in reports of enforced disappearances and acts of torture committed in his native province. Despite this, he continues to operate freely and claims to fear no consequences for his actions.

During the recent demonstrations of force in Cankuzo and Ruyigi, he also attacked some young Imbonerakure, accusing them of laxity.

« The country is not given on a platter of gold. It must be conquered militarily, » he reportedly declared, calling on young people to mercilessly fight the CNDD-FDD’s supposed enemies, both internal and external.

Virulent anti-Rwanda rhetoric

In several of his speeches, Shabani Nimubona has designated Rwanda as Burundi’s main enemy, accusing it of conspiring with internal opponents to overthrow the ruling power. He maintains that Kigali is seeking to favor « a section of the population » in order to restore it to power, a theory deemed dangerous and unfounded by several local observers.

A terrorized population in search of protection

Faced with this verbal escalation and threats, a segment of the local population is sounding the alarm. Citizens of Muyinga, Cankuzo, and Ruyigi interviewed by SOS Médias Burundi denounce an atmosphere of fear and intimidation and call on administration authorities and CNDD-FDD leaders to put an end to Nimubona’s actions.

« Joining a political party is a right, not an obligation, » said a resident of Ruyigi, who preferred to remain anonymous. Others fear that these incitements to violence could lead to irreparable acts in the sensitive context of the elections.

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Shabani Nimubona in a mobilization session of the Imbonerakure, members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party in Burundi (SOS Médias Burundi)