Burundi : in Cibitoke, armed Imbonerakure sowed electoral fear

SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, June 10, 2025 – Investigation. In Cibitoke (northwestern Burundi), in the days leading up to the June 5 elections, weapons were discreetly distributed to the Imbonerakure. The objective : to intimidate the opposition. SOS Médias Burundi collected several testimonies about an operation organized in complete secrecy.

In the weeks leading up to the district and legislative elections, tensions had risen in Cibitoke. Several security and local sources reported that a massive distribution of firearms was underway, targeting young Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party, the CNDD-FDD.

According to consistent accounts, Kalashnikov-style rifles were distributed in the province’s six districts, with an average of around ten per district. “More than 100 weapons were reportedly given to young activists who had recently completed military training combining theory and combat tactics,” a source close to the case confided.

A young Imbonerakure member, contacted on condition of anonymity, confirmed :
“The first weapons were distributed on Tuesday, May 20, around 11 p.m., notably at the Buganda stadium and the party’s provincial headquarters, which was under construction.” According to him, further distribution phases were planned, potentially including small and large-caliber weapons.

But this militarization of the ruling party’s youth was not unanimous, even within their own ranks. Some Imbonerakure already feared uncontrolled excesses : thefts, settling of scores, and murders facilitated by illegal possession of firearms.

Army vehicles and local administration officials were seen transporting weapons at night, according to the same sources. Faced with this situation, several opposition activists, notably from the National Council for Freedom (CNL), fled to neighboring countries.

Supporters of other opposition parties—including those from the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition, Frodebu, Uprona, and other groups—said they lived in constant fear, threatened daily.

Contacted about this, the CNDD-FDD provincial youth leader for the new Bujumbura province categorically rejected these accusations, calling them “false.” He defended the freedom of movement of vehicles, day and night, and refused to comment on the allegations of intimidation.

The June 5 elections ultimately took place in a climate of great tension. All political parties—including those close to the ruling party—have denounced massive and systematic fraud.

In this tense province, weapons circulated, opponents fled, and hopes for a free and fair election faded further and further each day.