The National Congress for Freedom (CNL) is raising fresh concerns over what it describes as a disturbing wave of political intolerance and intimidation targeting its supporters, as the country enters the third week of campaigning ahead of the June 5 elections for members of parliament and communal councillors.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the opposition party accused supporters of the ruling CNDD-FDD of orchestrating attacks against its members in various provinces, despite repeated public calls — including those from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burundi (CECAB) — for political actors to respect democratic values and ensure a peaceful campaign environment.
“These acts are not just incidents,” the statement read. “Our members are being forced to renounce their political affiliation, stripped of CNL T-shirts and forced to wear those of the ruling party. Some have been beaten, others had their voter cards confiscated. This is intimidation, plain and simple.”
Among the incidents cited by the party is one that allegedly took place on May 21 in Nyabibuye hill, Shombo commune, in Karusi province. According to the CNL, a supporter named Antoine Rirangenza was harassed and stripped of his party T-shirt by a group of CNDD-FDD activists led by an individual identified as Pamphile Bandirubusa. They reportedly accused Rirangenza of selling prohibited alcoholic drinks before ordering him to leave the CNL.
The party said similar acts occurred the same day in Muyinga province, where another supporter, identified as Ndahanzumukama, was allegedly assaulted in Muruta hill, Gashoho commune. According to the CNL, he was beaten by young ruling party members, who tore off his CNL T-shirt and set it on fire.
Violence and harassment have continued even as the campaign period nears its end. On May 26, a CNL member named Nduwimana Nestor was reportedly arrested in Camazi hill, Matongo commune, in Kayanza province. The party claims he was detained in an undisclosed location on the orders of the local CNDD-FDD youth leader, after refusing to attend a CNDD-FDD rally held on the hill.
The CNL’s complaints echo those voiced by other opposition groups, including the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition, which has decried what it describes as systematic repression against its supporters during the campaign. The CDP party has also denounced similar incidents, including the imprisonment of one of its activists.
These allegations sharply contrast with the government’s version of events. The Ministry of the Interior recently claimed that the electoral campaign is proceeding smoothly across the country, despite acknowledging “minor incidents” during the early days of the campaign.
Burundi’s civil society has also expressed growing alarm. On Monday, the Association for the Fight Against Unemployment and Torture (ALUCHOTO), a human rights organization, joined the chorus of criticism. Speaking at a press conference, the group said it had documented numerous acts of political coercion across several provinces.
“Instead of explaining their political agendas to the people, many candidates are engaging in hate speech, insults, and fear-mongering,” an ALUCHOTO representative said. “We’ve also observed political actors trying to force people into joining their parties. They must understand that Burundians have the right to make their own political choices.”
These calls for restraint come just days after a message from the Catholic Bishops of Burundi urging all political parties to uphold peace, mutual respect, and avoid demonizing their opponents.
While such appeals continue to echo across the political and civic landscape, President Evariste Ndayishimiye has also weighed in. During the official launch of the campaign, he called on all participants to respect democratic norms and to conduct themselves with dignity and fairness.
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