As the legislative and communal council election campaign enters its second week, the National Federation of Associations Engaged in the Domain of Childhood in Burundi (FENADEB) has raised concerns over the involvement of children in political campaign activities. The organization warns against what it calls the “instrumentalization” of minors, a practice it says has resurfaced despite being illegal.
FENADEB’s warning comes after images and videos circulated on social media in recent days showing what appear to be minors wearing clothing in the colors and symbols of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, with some chanting slogans and taking part in what seem to be campaign events.
“Children who are not of voting age are being used in campaign activities,” said Ferdinand Simbaruhije, spokesperson for FENADEB. “This is not only against the law, but it also deprives children of their right to education.”
FENADEB has been vocal on this issue before. During the 2020 general elections, the group raised similar concerns, warning against the exploitation of minors for political gain. This year, they fear history is repeating itself.
The Ministry of the Interior, meanwhile, says it is not aware of any such incidents so far. But Interior Minister Martin Niteretse says the law is clear: children must not be involved in campaign activities.
“Election campaigns do not concern minors. This is a school period — children are supposed to be in class,” said Niteretse. “If anyone is campaigning in or around schools, that’s a clear violation of the law.”
He also reminded political actors that campaigning is prohibited in professional environments, including public and private offices. “Not everyone is a politician,” he added. “There are people who prefer to stay neutral, and they should be allowed to do so — just like in Europe.”
However, Niteretse did say that during school holidays, children may participate in what he called “patriotic education” — provided it’s not harmful or coercive. He compared it to religious training, where children are gradually introduced to certain values or practices.
For FENADEB, though, the priority is clear: children must be kept out of politics. The group is urging all political parties and candidates to respect children’s rights and ensure that any campaign-related activities take place away from schools and learning spaces.
Earlier this month, FENADEB issued a public reminder on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, calling on all political competitors to prioritize child protection during the election period.
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