The court in Burundi has postponed a case involving prominent opposition figure Agathon Rwasa and Immaculée Ntacobakimvuna, over leadership disputes within the opposition CNL party. The case, initially scheduled for September, has faced repeated delays, with the latest adjournment announced during Thursday’s court session.
The presiding judge attributed the postponement to the absence of Ntacobakimvuna’s faction. He further explained that three out of nine involved individuals must be officially notified before proceedings can continue.
Rwasa, visibly frustrated by the delay, said: “We attended the court hearing as scheduled, but what surprised us was that our opponents did not appear. Their lawyer was present but chose to stay among the spectators instead of participating in the proceedings.” He emphasized his suspicion that the opposing side and their supporters are deliberately stalling the case to prevent a resolution.
“We have done everything within our power, but it seems that our opponents might not want the case to be concluded, and those supporting them also seem unwilling for it to be resolved. They may even be influencing decisions here and there, and that’s just how things are,” Rwasa added.
Rwasa criticized the ongoing delays, noting that the case was filed in March 2024, and yet, nearly a year later, it remains unresolved. He said that Burundian law stipulates that major cases should be concluded within 30 days. “This shows that while the law is spoken about in words, putting it into practice is another story,” he said.
Despite his frustrations, Rwasa pledged to remain patient, saying: “We see this as a game they are playing—there is no genuine will to provide us with justice. However, we will wait. No matter what, the truth will prevail over lies.”
The leadership dispute stems from Rwasa’s removal from the helm of the CNL party earlier in 2024, a move he and his supporters denounced as a violation of the party’s statutes. The dismissal ignited internal divisions within Burundi’s main opposition party and triggered a legal battle over the legitimacy of the CNL’s new leadership.
The Supreme Court initially began hearing the case on November 7, 2024, but the trial was postponed to February 27, 2025. With the latest adjournment, the case is now set to resume on September 25, 2025.
Rwasa, a central figure in Burundian opposition politics for over two decades, is known for his resilience amid political adversity. As the founder of the CNL and a former rebel leader, he has repeatedly faced expulsion from political parties he established. In 2010, he was ousted from the leadership of the National Liberation Front (FNL) and has since accused ruling authorities of orchestrating actions to block his political ambitions.
Reflecting on the political climate in Burundi, Rwasa urged the country’s leaders to engage in inclusive national dialogue, stating, “They should humble themselves, allow Burundians to come together again, and reflect on how to rebuild our country so that both the people of Burundi and the international community can regain confidence in Burundi.”
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