Burundi : Révérien Ndikuriyo re-elected as head of the CNDD-FDD, total control confirmed after extraordinary lcongress

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, January 26, 2026 – Révérien Ndikuriyo has been re-elected for a second term as Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD party, following an extraordinary elective congress held on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in Gitega, the political capital of the small east African nation, at the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR). The congress brought together 1,288 delegates, of whom 1,212 participated in the vote, representing a turnout of 98.69%. Révérien Ndikuriyo was elected by a large majority, thus confirming his control over the party apparatus.

Alongside the Secretary General, Cyriaque Nshimirimana was re-elected as Deputy Secretary General. The CNDD-FDD Council of Elders also appointed Thérèse Baranyizigiye as National Secretary for Social Affairs, replacing Calinie Mbarushimana, who was recently appointed Minister of the Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock.

A speech focused on party strengthening and development

In his address, Révérien Ndikuriyo thanked the Bagumyabanga – the name given to CNDD-FDD members – for their renewed confidence and reaffirmed his commitment to continuing to strengthen the party. He pledged to contribute to improving the living conditions of the population and invited all citizens to participate in development efforts to combat poverty.

He also expressed his openness to constructive advice that could help the CNDD-FDD progress and consolidate its political action. After taking the oath of office, he called on the Council of Elders to continue supporting them, noting that their recommendations had been crucial to the success of the party’s initiatives.

Limited media coverage

The congress was largely closed to independent media. Several journalists from private, independent, or foreign media outlets were not allowed to cover the event. A list of accredited journalists had been drawn up by the CNDD-FDD’s communications department, and other journalists were asked to leave.

Limited diplomatic presence

European embassies, the US, and European Union embassies were represented, but only by junior staff, rather than by official ambassadors or heads of mission, highlighting a distance between the ruling party and some international partners.

The CNDD-FDD context

Since January 22, 2026, members of the ruling party and their political, religious, and civil society supporters had been holed up in Gitega to participate in a crusade organized by the CNDD-FDD. The CNDD-FDD, a former Hutu rebel group, has been in power since 2005, following the 2000 Arusha Agreement, and now dominates the institutions after winning 100% of the seats in the June 5, 2025, legislative elections. The government remains composed primarily of CNDD-FDD activists and a few supporters.

Presidential congratulations

President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also chairs the CNDD-FDD Council of Elders, congratulated the new team on X (formerly Twitter) and called for always putting the public interest before personal interests. He encouraged the Secretary General and his deputy not to be swayed by opponents of the party’s and government’s development initiatives.