SOS Médias Burundi

Brussels, June 28, 2025 – The political coalition of the Burundian opposition in exile held a press conference on Friday in the capital of the European Union. The event was held to denounce the district and legislative elections of June 5 in Burundi, which these opponents describe as an « electoral farce, » heralding the return of « a single-party dictatorship. »

« Burundi is in danger, » warned Frédéric Bamvuginyunvira, president of CFOR-Arusha, accompanied by Libérat Ntibashirakandi, spokesperson for MAP-Burundi, and Chauvineau Mugwengezo, spokesperson for the Coalition for the Renaissance of the Nation (CN) and president of UPD-Zigamibanga (a wing not recognized by the government).

A tense election campaign

According to observations by SOS Médias Burundi reporters, the election campaign took place in a climate of widespread fear, intimidation, and targeted violence against opponents and perceived opponents.
Opposition activists were regularly prevented from organizing rallies, attacked, or threatened, particularly by members of the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the CNDD-FDD party.
Acts of intimidation, beatings, arbitrary arrests, and destruction of opposition election materials were reported in several provinces.

On the election day, cases of massive fraud were reported. Several voters reported forced voting and blatant irregularities, including multiple voting and the confiscation of voter cards belonging to opposition supporters.
In some centers, members of the civil society and independent observers were prevented from accessing polling stations.

« It was a locked-in election from start to finish, » commented the journalists from SOS Médias Burundi, emphasizing that the environment did not allow for a free and fair electoral competition.

A US assessment of the situation in Burundi

For Bamvuginyunvira, former vice president, the situation in the country is catastrophic.
« Nothing is working anymore. Burundi is ranked among the poorest countries in the world. Burundians are facing a rampant inflation, fuel shortages, and the high cost of living. How can we explain these overwhelming electoral results in a country where everyone is crying famine? » he wondered.

« These people are imposing themselves at the head of state by force of arms, by manipulation, and by instilling fear in the population, » he added.

An international community pointing the finger

Libérat Ntibashirakandi expressed what he considers the international community’s passivity in the face of what he calls an electoral charade.
« Burundi has held three real elections : after independence, in 1993 and in 2005, under the international supervision. What is happening today has nothing to do with credible elections, » he recalled.

The MAP-Burundi spokesperson also attacked certain European Union countries : « How can we finance a government that kills and rapes? It’s unacceptable! »

An opposition in search of a strategy

Faced with this state of affairs, the opposition in exile wants to rely on the power of ideas and a strategic reorganization.
« The CNDD-FDD only wants to impose itself by force. We have tried negotiations and meetings, but nothing has worked. The CNDD-FDD doesn’t only understand the language of force. « Can we find a force capable of dislodging it? » Bamvuginyunvira wondered.

He called for a collective awakening within the opposition:
« We must accept what we are. We are an opposition. We must champion a social project and organize a force capable of replacing this government. »

Mobilizing the international community

For Ntibashirakandi, pressure must also come from outside. He advocates an awareness campaign with the European Union to cut funding to the current regime.

The opposition in exile also claims to be in contact with opponents inside Burundi and that regular exchanges continue.

« Perhaps it is time for the Burundian opposition to come together and speak with one voice, » Bamvuginyunvira concluded.
« The Burundian people must collectively come to a clear conclusion : the current government has failed. » The salvation of Burundi requires collective reflection and the mobilization of all those who aspire to a real change. »

A total cictory for the CNDD-FDD

During the legislative and district elections held on June 5, the first to be held separately from the presidential election now postponed until 2027 in the small east African nation, the former Hutu rebellion, in power in Burundi since 2005 thanks to the Arusha Peace Agreement of August 2000, won all the seats in the National Assembly.

The Constitutional Court upheld the validity of the results of the legislative elections, rendering the opposition’s claims null and void.