Burundi : Ndayishimiye transforms Imbonerakure into “commandos” and threatens regime enemies

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, August 29, 2026—At the closing ceremony of the 10th Imbonerakure Day, held on Saturday, August 29, at the Ingoma Stadium in Gitega, Burundi’s political capital, President Évariste Ndayishimiye warned those who would attack Burundi and announced that the Imbonerakure were becoming “commandos.”

The ceremonies featured a long parade of 119 Imbonerakure companies, members of the youth wing of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party. Amid slogans and songs, participants chanted messages calling for the defense of the country and reaffirming their support for the party’s leaders.

The speeches, slogans, and songs were delivered in Kirundi, the national language of Burundi. Translated into French, some participants sang, among other things : “The country isn’t given away like bread in the street; it’s seized by force of arms. We have all become commandos; Burundi is well and truly guarded. Major General Évariste Ndayishimiye, stay in control; you have nothing to fear. Let them talk; the CNDD-FDD has its own.”

The participants also sang songs that referenced past hardships and the changes that have occurred since the CNDD-FDD came to power.

“If you can study and complete your studies, if you can have children and educate them, if today you can sleep peacefully, know that in the past, it wasn’t always like this,” they sang.

Ndikuriyo promises to strengthen the Imbonerakure

In his address, the Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD, Révérien Ndikuriyo, promised to do everything possible to strengthen the Imbonerakure youth wing.

He then urged them to become more involved in development projects in order to contribute to the realization of the vision of an emerging Burundi by 2040 and a developed Burundi by 2060.

Révérien Ndikuriyo also called on the Imbonerakure to remain vigilant, stating that the country’s enemies have not yet disarmed.

“We want every Burundian citizen to be a soldier.”

Taking the floor in turn, Évariste Ndayishimiye explained the decision to transform the Imbonerakure into “commandos.”

“The whole world is witnessing this today. You understand why we made the decision to transform the Imbonerakure into commandos.” “We want every Burundian citizen to be a soldier. What I promise to our friends and our enemies alike is that Burundi is well protected,” the president declared.

The head of state also expressed his satisfaction that, in his view, young people no longer pay attention to the rhetoric of the opposition, unlike in 2015.

Reflecting on the events of that year, he stated : “Stealing the drum is one thing, but knowing where to beat it is another. In 2015, we were still finding our way, which is why they were able to try to overthrow the institutions. Today, that is virtually impossible.”

The memory of the 2015 crisis

The reference to 2015 alludes to the serious political crisis that erupted in Burundi after Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third presidential term, a candidacy contested by some members of the CNDD-FDD party, the opposition, and the civil society. The crisis was marked by demonstrations, deadly repression, an attempted coup in May 2015, and the exile of hundreds of thousands of Burundians.

During this period, the Imbonerakure were regularly accused by human rights organizations and international observers of participating in acts of intimidation, violence, and repression against opponents and demonstrators.

The Imbonerakure : from political mobilization to security activities

The Imbonerakure are the youth wing of the CNDD-FDD, the former Hutu rebellion that became the ruling party in Burundi in 2005, following the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement.

Over the years, however, their role has not been limited to political activities and community work. The Imbonerakure also participate in security-related activities, including night patrols in neighborhoods and in villages, as well as joint security committees. They have also been reported alongside Burundian forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Human rights organizations regularly denounce their alleged involvement in human rights violations.

These accusations are documented allegations by human rights organizations and do not, in themselves, constitute judicial convictions.

For their part, the Burundian authorities present the Imbonerakure as young people committed to peace, security, and the development of the country.

These remarks echo those of Ndikuriyo

Évariste Ndayishimiye’s statement comes a few days after similar remarks made by the Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD, Révérien Ndikuriyo, at a press conference held on August 22 in Makamba, southern Burundi.

Responding to calls from Burundian armed groups operating from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, notably RED-Tabara and Aloys Nzabampema’s FNL, Ndikuriyo urged them to move from words to action.

He stated that a group wishing to attack Burundi would, in his opinion, need to muster 200,000 fighters, each armed with a rifle. He also declared that such a force would be “exterminated” within three weeks.

Ten years ago, the UN referred to them as a “militia.”

In 2016, the United Nations described the Imbonerakure as a “youth militia of the ruling party,” amid accusations of night patrols, intimidation, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and murders.

This characterization provoked strong reactions from Burundian authorities and CNDD-FDD officials, who rejected the label of “militia” and defended the Imbonerakure as a youth organization affiliated with the ruling party.

Ten years later, Évariste Ndayishimiye’s announced decision to transform the Imbonerakure into “commandos,” along with his statement that he wants “every Burundian citizen to be a soldier,” has reignited questions about the evolving role of this youth organization within Burundi’s security apparatus.