Opposition politicians and civil society leaders are turning up the heat on the Burundian government, accusing it of failing to confront the deeply entrenched corruption that continues to grip the country despite repeated promises and official campaigns.
Their criticism comes in the wake of a workshop hosted earlier this week by the civil society group PARCEM, aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. For many participants, the conclusion was clear: the government’s response to corruption has been more performative than transformative.
Gabriel Banzawitonde, chair of the opposition party APDR, described the situation as a “systemic failure” rooted in one-party dominance and the absence of effective checks and balances.
“Corruption is still being masked by rhetoric,” he said. “When one party governs without challenge, it takes control of all state affairs. With no meaningful opposition, there’s no one to hold it accountable,” he added.
Banzawitonde argued that regardless of how overwhelming an election victory may be, the concentration of power inevitably breeds opacity.
“Whether it wins by 100%, 80%, or 68%, a monopoly is still a monopoly,” he said. “The system remains the same—and that’s the problem.”
Burundi’s score in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index dropped to 17 out of 100, down three points from the previous year. Ranked 165th out of 180 countries, the nation now finds itself among the world’s most corrupt states according to Transparency International.
For lawmaker Simon Bizimungu, the data is simply a confirmation of what Burundians have long known.
“This government has had years to prove itself,” Bizimungu said. “The anti-corruption policies failed not because they were poorly written, but because there was never any real will to implement them.”
He pointed to rampant favoritism in public sector hiring as one of the most glaring symptoms of institutional decay.
“Jobs are handed to the unqualified, and merit means nothing,” he said. “How can any system function when moral values are discarded and bribery becomes the currency of survival?”
Bizimungu also criticized the growing trend of public officials engaging in private business, calling it unconstitutional and damaging to public trust.
“If civil servants and national leaders are running side businesses, who’s looking after the country?” he asked. “This mixing of public duty with private gain is exactly what’s dragging us down.”
Presidential Promises and a Push for Unity
In February, President Evariste Ndayishimiye renewed his call for national unity in the fight against corruption. Speaking during a retreat organized by the Office of the State Inspector General, Ndayishimiye framed corruption as a threat to the country’s stability and development.
“We must fight this together,” he told participants. “Don’t leave the battle to Neva [nickname for President Ndayishimiye] alone. If someone refuses to join the effort, then they are clearly on the side of corruption.”
The retreat brought together government officials, civil society actors, and public institutions. It focused on collective responsibility and practical steps forward, including digitalizing public services and tightening legal frameworks aimed at preventing abuse of office.
President Ndayishimiye also stressed the need for better oversight at the local level. “Even if we create small committees,” he said, “they must be built with the clear mission of fighting corruption. That’s how we protect what we have and make progress on what we still lack.”
Civil Society: Words Aren’t Enough
While acknowledging recent government efforts, civil society leaders insist that without genuine political will, progress will remain elusive.
Faustin Ndikumana, head of PARCEM, called on ruling party officials to stop shielding those responsible for undermining transparency.
“Most of the rot we see today comes from those in power,” he said. “If the ruling elite won’t loosen their grip, nothing will change.”
He emphasized the need for anti-corruption institutions that are not only independent but also well-resourced and clearly mandated by law.
“These bodies must be able to function without interference,” Ndikumana said. “They need funding, autonomy, and above all, legal clarity.”
He also called for greater accountability from public officials—starting with the declaration of personal assets and a strict separation between public responsibilities and private interests.
“Good governance begins with integrity,” he said. “That means no more confusion between national service and personal gain.”
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