Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has publicly defended the ruling party’s sweeping victory in the country’s recent elections, brushing aside growing criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, and the Catholic Church over alleged irregularities and the future of Burundi’s democracy.
Speaking during a press conference on Saturday in Gitega, Burundi’s political capital, Ndayishimiye responded for the first time to mounting accusations that the June 5 dual elections—legislative and communal—were marred by serious flaws. The president described the overwhelming victory of the ruling CNDD-FDD party as a “clear sign of democratic maturity,” asserting that the electoral process had respected the will of the people.
“The CNDD-FDD is in power and governs this country through its political program,” Ndayishimiye stated. “In a democracy, what matters is that every citizen has the freedom to speak and contribute. Sometimes a single party wins by a large margin, but that doesn’t make it undemocratic.”
On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) declared that CNDD-FDD had secured 96.51% of the vote, winning all seats in the National Assembly—a first in Burundi since the party took power in 2005. Local and international observers commended the peaceful conduct of the vote, but opposition parties and civil society organizations sharply disagreed with the final tally.
Opposition groups, including the National Congress for Liberty (CNL), have labeled the vote “fraudulent and a sign of democratic backsliding.” The CNL announced on Friday that it had filed appeals with both the Constitutional Court and provincial electoral bodies (CEPI) seeking the annulment of the election and a fresh vote.
“The serious irregularities that marred the June 5 election cannot be ignored,” the CNL said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We have already submitted official complaints to the CEPI and the Constitutional Court.”
Echoing the president’s defense of the election, Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca blamed the opposition’s loss on outdated political platforms. “If you lead a party and your own members don’t support your policies, then you’ve failed,” Ndirakobuca said at a separate press conference held Friday in Cibitoke, a commune in the newly created Bujumbura province.
Religious Leaders and Government at Odds Over Electoral Integrity
On Thursday, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi raised red flags in a statement they issued after the announcement of the election results, citing instances of ballot stuffing, intimidation, poor timing, and a lack of transparency during the voting process. The Church, which had deployed observers across the country, criticized the overall management of the polls.
In response, President Ndayishimiye said he had received the bishops’ report but questioned why they did not raise their concerns with the electoral commission on the day of the vote. “If they were truly sincere, they would have reported the problems right away,” he said. “Criticism should be based on honesty, not on hidden motives.”
The president also challenged all observers and political parties to present detailed evidence of alleged irregularities. “Let them show us station-by-station, province-by-province, the flaws they claim to have witnessed,” Ndayishimiye insisted. “If such a report is submitted, the government will take legal action.”
Interior Minister Martin Niteretse also weighed in, criticizing political actors for airing complaints in the media instead of reporting them through agreed-upon official channels. “These public statements risk destabilizing our peace and security,” he warned, urging political leaders to refrain from what he called “disruptive rhetoric.”
Ndayishimiye backed the minister’s warning, adding that those who spread unverified claims publicly would face legal consequences. “If you see a problem, why go to the radio instead of the courts?” he asked. “Anyone who incites unrest by lying to the public will be held accountable.”
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