Burundi’s 2025 election campaign officially got underway Friday with a high-profile launch event in the political capital, Gitega. But the ceremony was overshadowed by a boycott from two opposition parties, who cited exclusion and fuel shortages as reasons for staying away.
The Burundi Bwa Bose coalition and the CDP party both announced they were not taking part in the opening ceremony, raising fresh concerns about fairness and transparency in the lead-up to the June elections.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition said its absence was due to the disqualification of its communal councillor candidates—who were supposed to march in the event—and a lack of fuel to transport its parliamentary hopefuls.
“From the beginning, our coalition was committed to participating in both the legislative and communal elections as outlined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI),” the statement read. “However, we have been completely and unfairly excluded from the communal elections.”
The CDP, led by Anicet Niyonkuru, cited similar challenges. Speaking to reporters earlier on Friday, Niyonkuru said his party had tried to secure fuel from the state-run fuel agency SOPEBU for 20 vehicles but only received enough for one—his own.
“I couldn’t go to Gitega alone while my supporters were stranded,” he said. Niyonkuru also criticized the ruling CNDD-FDD for allegedly using state vehicles and government-funded fuel for its own campaign activities, calling for a level playing field and an end to what he described as “harassment” of opposition parties.
Despite the controversy, the launch event proceeded with a major rally led by President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who acknowledged the fuel crisis but insisted the government was working to ensure all parties could campaign freely.
President Urges Fair Play and Democratic Values
“Our fuel tanks are located outside the country, so distribution isn’t easy,” he told the crowd. “But we are doing everything we can to make fuel available throughout the campaign.”
Ndayishimiye also used the occasion to emphasize the values of democracy and respectful political competition.
“Democracy means electing capable leaders who work for the people,” he said. “Don’t just tell voters you love them—show them your development plans. They want to know what you’ll deliver.”
He urged public officials to remain neutral and reiterated the importance of equal media access for all candidates.
“No one should be favored,” the president said. “Leaders in government must act impartially so that campaigns can run fairly and in accordance with the law.”
The Secretary-General of the ruling CNDD-FDD, Révérien Ndikuriyo, echoed the president’s call for civility.
“Let’s compete on ideas, not insults,” he said. “Opponents are not enemies.”
Meanwhile, CNL party leader Nestor Girukwishaka welcomed the official start of the campaign but warned of persistent issues like exclusion, violence, and manipulation of electoral processes.
“We need to end the destruction of party offices, the tampering with voter lists, and the intimidation of political actors,” he said. “If elections continue to serve only a few, people will lose trust in the system.”
Civil society voices also weighed in. Faustin Ndikumana, who heads the civil society organization PARCEM, questioned the real impact of repeated electoral cycles.
“People vote again and again, but their lives aren’t getting better,” he said. “Poverty remains stuck at around 67% since 2005. The local currency is weak, imports are expensive, and the cost of living keeps rising. This is a deepening crisis.”
According to a presidential decree, the official campaign period for parliamentary and communal elections will run from May 13 to June 2, 2025. Candidates will be allowed to campaign daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
President Ndayishimiye closed his speech with a call for post-election unity.
“Winning doesn’t make you a hero,” he said. “Those elected should reach out to those who weren’t and work together for the country’s development.”
Leave a comment