SOS Médias Burundi

Giharo, May 30, 2025 – A few days before the legislative and district elections scheduled in Burundi, a climate of political terror is taking hold in the district of Giharo, Rutana province (southeast of the country). Local officials of the ruling CNDD-FDD party are accused of making violent remarks and exerting pressure on members of the opposition UPRONA party.

Public threats during a rally in Kibimba

On May 27, 2025, a CNDD-FDD rally was held in Kibimba village, in the Butezi zone. Several party leaders made inflammatory speeches against opponents.

Zacharie Batungwanayo, Kibimba village chief, and Léonard Ruhoranyi, local CNDD-FDD representative, incited activists to « do everything possible to kill or eliminate » certain UPRONA members.

Three figures were specifically targeted:

Usuël Ntarutimana, UPRONA district representative in Giharo,

Théoneste Juma, party representative in the Butezi zone,

Venant Nyobeye, an active member of the same party.

According to present witnesses, these calls for physical elimination were supported by Cyriaque Komezurugendo, alias Komezumusonga, CNDD-FDD zonal representative in Butezi, as well as by Jean Arakaza and Françoise Nivyimana, both candidates in the legislative elections. They reportedly stated that the assassination of these opponents was « a means of ensuring the stability of the Giharo district. »

Attempted forced rally in Mutwana village

On May 29, 2025, around 6:00 a.m., another incident occurred in Mutwana village. Gilbert Ndayisenga, a UPRONA activist, was forcibly summoned to the hillside office by Vincent Nemerimana, the village chief, and Bernard Ntirandekura, the local CNDD-FDD representative.

They were accompanied by identified members of the CNDD-FDD youth league – Imbonerakure – including Bahati, Niyonzima, Zacharie alias Sage, and Zabulon.

On the spot, Gilbert Ndayisenga was ordered to leave his party and join the CNDD-FDD, under penalty of death. He was also threatened with constant surveillance, demonstrating a clear and prolonged attempt at intimidation.

The UPRONA denounces a campaign of terror

Faced with these actions, UPRONA leaders denounce a strategy of political terror and demand that these events be made public and punished by relevant authorities.

A worrying climate as the elections approach

These incidents reflect a worrying exploitation of local government for electoral purposes. Death threats, intimidation, and attempts at forced rallying violate principles of a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

The UPRONA, along with local observers, call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), human rights organizations, and the international community to conduct an impartial investigation and ensure a peaceful electoral climate.

A district already affected by political violence

The district of Giharo is sadly known for similar precedents. Several opponents have been killed or jailed there over the years, often with the alleged complicity of CNDD-FDD members, the local administration, and the police.

Notable cases include the assassination of Japhet Mukeshimana, a district police commissioner and former National Liberation Forces (FNL) fighter. He was killed under unclear circumstances on January 2, 2024, illustrating the gravity of the security and political situation in this region of the small east African nation.