SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, May 9, 2025 – As the electoral campaign for the 2025 elections officially begins in Burundi, the stage is already set for a locked-down process. In Gitega, a silenced opposition, a biased Electoral Commission, and presidential threats are casting doubt on the transparency of the vote – a new test for Burundian democracy.

The electoral campaign kicked off Friday, May 9, at the Ingoma Stadium in Gitega, the political capital of the small east African nation. The event, heavily fueled by propaganda, was overshadowed by palpable tensions and accusations of political exclusion. Before a crowd of political representatives, diplomats, and journalists, speeches revealed the deep fractures in the Burundian political landscape as the elections approach.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye did not hesitate to firmly warn those he suspected of trying to disrupt the electoral process. « Troublemakers will be brought to justice, » he insisted, promising exemplary sanctions and calling certain administration officials hostile to the opposition « agents of the devil. » This martial tone contrasted with calls for dialogue and inclusiveness.

A contested CENI, a marginalized opposition

Meanwhile, several opposition parties and independent candidates denounced the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) as a power-hugger. The chairperson of the National Congress for Freedom (CNL), Nestor Girukwishaka, was one of the most outspoken. He accused the regime of excluding his party from electoral bodies at all levels : of the 77,780 polling station members, only 164 were from the CNL, or less than 0.23%.

« Can we talk about free and fair elections when those who organize them are appointed in a one-sided manner? » he asked.

He also mentioned a series of targeted violence : arbitrary arrests, destruction of offices, and widespread intimidation. For him, the ongoing process is flawed from the ground up and compromises the very idea of ​​democratic competition.

Unequal resources, a stifled opposition

Nestor Girukwishaka also called for the provision of fuel for travel during the campaign period and equitable access to public media. He deplored the fact that opposition parties are treated as intruders, hindered in their every move, while the ruling party benefits from all the resources of the state.

The CNDD-FDD defends itself and claims supremacy

Reacting to these accusations, Révérien Ndikuriyo, Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD, defended his party, stating that it is « a divine instrument that saved the country. » He nevertheless acknowledged the excesses of some members of the Imbonerakure youth league, accused of political violence.

Faced with the outcry, President Ndayishimiye promised that all petrol stations in the country would be refueled before May 13 to ensure the smooth running of the campaign. This logistical promise did little to reassure opponents, who are demanding fairness and security above all else. Burundi has been experiencing a fuel crisis for nearly 52 months.

A campaign already tainted

The Burundi bwa Bose coalition boycotted the opening ceremony. Twenty political parties and three independent candidates nevertheless participated, amid a climate of suspicion. On the sidelines of the event, residents of Gitega expressed their concern :

« We talk about democracy, but some opponents are publicly humiliated. This isn’t a campaign, it’s a sham, » confided an anonymous official.

The coming days will tell whether the authorities listen to these critical voices or persist in their exclusionary approach. But one thing is certain : the road to the 2025 elections promises to be fraught with pitfalls.