The Burundi Bwa Bose opposition coalition is sounding the alarm over what it describes as mounting political repression targeting its members, just days after the start of the country’s official electoral campaign period.
In a statement released Thursday, the coalition condemned an incident in Busiga Commune, Ngozi northern province, where its representative, Dismas Minani, and several of his colleagues were allegedly assaulted by members of the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party CNDD-FDD.
“The representative of the coalition in Butanyerera, Dismas MINANI, and his teammates were beaten by Imbonerakure,” the coalition posted on X (formerly Twitter). “They were tied up, and their belongings, including a motorcycle, were looted.”
The attack reportedly happened on Tuesday—the same day the coalition launched its campaign. While it remains unclear whether the victims were traveling to or from a campaign event, the coalition insists the violence reflects a wider pattern of intimidation against opposition supporters.
So far, neither the Burundian government nor the country’s electoral commission (CENI) has issued a statement regarding the incident.
This isn’t an isolated case. Just last week, the coalition reported that one of its activists in Nyanza-Lac was assaulted, yet no arrests have been made. According to the coalition, the alleged perpetrator remains protected by political allies.
In Burunga newly established province, the coalition claims its members are being systematically targeted, describing the incidents as part of a “politically motivated crackdown.”
“The person who attacked our member in Nyanza-Lac remains free, shielded by his peers,” the group wrote in another social media post. “Yet our activists are being relentlessly hunted in Burunga.”
Opposition leaders are now voicing serious concerns over what they see as a shrinking democratic space. On Friday, Nestor Girukwishaka, president of the opposition party National Congress for Liberty (CNL), condemned what he called “systematic harassment and unequal treatment” of opposition figures across the country.
“There is growing intolerance throughout the country,” he warned at a campaign rally in the country’s political capital Gitega. “Opposition members are being harassed and prevented from carrying out their activities. Some local authorities outright deny opposition parties the right to operate.”
Girukwishaka also accused ruling party supporters and certain local officials of orchestrating intimidation campaigns against citizens who refuse to align with the ruling party.
“In some provinces, people are being beaten, threatened, or harassed in their own homes just for not joining the ruling party,” he said.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye, in his own recent campaign speech, promised tough legal action against anyone found guilty of disrupting the electoral process.
“Anyone who intimidates or abuses others will be punished in accordance with the law,” the president said. “These actions are not supported by any law in this country.”
He also called on the judiciary to treat election-related offenses seriously, stressing that disrupting the democratic process is an attack on the nation’s future.
“Anyone who sabotages the elections is sabotaging Burundi’s future,” Ndayishimiye added.
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