Burundi : all candidacies of the only political coalition and the main opposition party in the next legislative elections rejected by the CENI

The Independent National Electoral Commission, CENI in Burundi has rejected all candidacies of the only political coalition of the opposition “Burundi Bwa Bose” and the main opposition CNL party. These candidacies count for the legislative elections next May. This commission accuses them of not having respected the ethnic and gender balances required by the Burundian constitution. In addition to this, this coalition is accused of having aligned candidates who do not campaign for the parties affiliated with it. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Those concerned were informed of the measure on December 31.

“The CENI has taken decisions that were not expected. That is why we met to analyze the outlines and decided to appeal to the constitutional court,” announced Kefa Nibizi, spokesperson for the “Burundi Bwa Bose” coalition. On Thursday, a complaint was filed with this court.

Kefa Nibizi says that reasons given by the CENI are unfounded. On Thursday, the coalition seized the constitutional court but several local and foreign analysts speak of “wasted effort”. “This court is one of the instruments of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party.” The court’s decision should be communicated in a week.

Analysis by Nditije

Charles Nditije, chairperson of the Uprona party – opposition, wing finds that it is impossible to expect credible elections in the current case.

“We all know that human rights violations continue despite the arrival of power led by General Évariste Ndayishimiye with a militarized government, which already foreshadows these acts of violence. And all reports from human rights organizations, national or international, are unanimous in saying that human rights violations continue and take varied and sordid forms,” ​​recalls the opponent who has been in exile since 2016. Mr. Nditije gives the examples of political party activists who continue to be killed, to go into exile following the abuses they suffer, extrajudicial exactions, targeted assassinations, arbitrary imprisonments, fanciful arrest warrants which have become commonplace, according to him.

“So, there is no security for citizens.”

A man in a polling station set up by the CENI in Burundi (SOS Médias Burundi)

Charles Nditije accuses the CNDD-FDD, the former Hutu rebellion in power since 2005 thanks to the Arusha Agreement of 2000, of being a party of terror that rejects political pluralism, that rejects democracy outright.

“The CNDD-FDD has imposed a de facto single-party system. That is why spaces of freedom are locked down almost everywhere,” he concludes.

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Charles Nditije, chairperson of the Uprona party – opposition wing, December 2024 (SOS Médias Burundi)