As Burundi’s legislative election campaigns move into their second week, civil society organizations are raising alarm over the use of state resources in political campaigning — a practice they say undermines fairness and risks fueling post-election tensions. But the country’s Interior Minister is standing firm, defending the practice as necessary under certain conditions.
On Tuesday, the anti-corruption watchdog OLUCOME publicly criticized what it described as the illegal use of government vehicles by political candidates during campaign events.
“We’ve witnessed individuals using state-owned vehicles for campaign purposes, which clearly violates the law,” said Arthermon Muntunutwiwe, OLUCOME’s Secretary General. “Some are even removing official license plates and replacing them with party banners.”
Muntunutwiwe pointed to two recent cases — one in Karusi Province where a government vehicle, reportedly from the education sector, was seen campaigning without license plates, and another in Ngozi northern province, where a state vehicle was decorated with political party symbols.
“The resources of the nation belong to all Burundians,” he said. “When public officials like governors or administrators campaign outside their jurisdictions using state property, it raises serious questions of equity and legality. If this continues, it could lead to post-election unrest, especially if losing parties perceive the playing field as unfair.”
Faustin Ndikumana, head of the civil society group PARCEM, echoed the concern, saying the longstanding issue stems from the failure to separate state functions from party politics.
“The use of government vehicles during campaigns has always been a grey area,” Ndikumana said on Wednesday. “The core problem is that there’s no clear boundary between the national budget and the ruling party’s budget. That confusion goes back years, and it remains unresolved.”
In response to the mounting criticism, Interior Minister Martin Niteretse has defended the use of government vehicles by candidates who are also public officials. Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, he said it’s a matter of responsibility and public safety.
“If the Governor of Gitega is a candidate and travels to campaign in Mwaro or Karusi, they still have duties back in Gitega,” Niteretse said. “If something urgent happens and they don’t have a government vehicle, how will they respond? The wellbeing of citizens must be protected.”
However, the minister condemned the practice of removing license plates from state vehicles used during campaigns, saying it was unacceptable and dangerous.
“If a vehicle without a license plate is involved in an accident, how do we identify it? Who’s held accountable?” Niteretse asked. “People need to take responsibility. This kind of behavior creates problems for everyone.”
The controversy comes as Burundi prepares for a busy electoral season. More than six million voters have registered for the June 5 legislative and municipal council elections. Senatorial elections will follow on July 23, and local leadership elections are scheduled for August 25 in five newly reorganized constituencies.
According to a presidential decree, the campaigns which started on May 13 are permitted daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ending on June 2.
With 20 political parties, one coalition, and 12 independent candidates competing for legislative seats, civil society groups warn that a failure to enforce rules around the use of public resources could undermine trust in the electoral process.
“We cannot afford to blur the line between government and party,” Muntunutwiwe said. “The wealth of the country must benefit all its citizens — not just one political group.”
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