Burundi : “vigilance”, surveillance, commandos… the Imbonerakure are mobilizing in Buhumuza before 2027

SOS Médias Burundi

Buhumuza, September 30, 2026 — As the 2027 presidential election approaches, leaders of the CNDD-FDD youth league, the Imbonerakure, are increasing rallies and calls for mobilization in several districts of Buhumuza province, in the east and northeast of Burundi. Young people are particularly called upon to strengthen their commitment, to remain “vigilant” in their living environments and to participate in securing their communities.

In Ruyigi, Cankuzo and Muyinga, leaders of the ruling party insist on the need for young people to remain mobilized and attentive to what is happening in their neighborhoods and in their villages. These activities particularly intensified in September, during the parliamentary recess period.

Calls for increased mobilization

In Butihinda, MP Shabani Nimubona called on young people to mobilize more and “show the difference”. In Butaganzwa, the same speech was accompanied by a call to “conjugate the verb”, an expression used to encourage activists to take more action.

In Ruyigi, Ferdinand Bandiyimisi, provincial head of the CNDD-FDD youth league in Buhumuza, particularly criticized the low participation of certain young people in party activities. He called some of them “lazy” and accused them of spending their time in bars drinking local beer rather than participating in political activities.

Officials also insist on vigilance in the neighborhoods and in the villages. Young people are encouraged to report situations deemed worrying and to remain attentive to their environment. Some calls also mention the need to “watch out for each other.”

These instructions raise questions about the limits of the role of a youth organization affiliated with a political party in questions related to security, while maintaining order is officially the responsibility of the competent institutions.

Imbonerakure already associated with security activities

The Burundian authorities have recognized for several years the participation of the Imbonerakure in certain security-related activities. The senior authorities, starting with President Évariste Ndayishimiye and the leaders of the CNDD-FDD, a former Hutu rebellion which became the ruling party in 2005 as part of the process resulting from the Arusha Accord signed in August 2000, present in particular the young people of the party as participating in securing the borders alongside the army as well as in nightly rounds in the neighborhoods and in the villages alongside the police.

However, the authorities reject accusations of involvement of the Imbonerakure in human rights violations and highlight their contribution to peace, security and development.

Human rights organizations and international reports have, for their part, documented over the years cases of the involvement of members of the Imbonerakure in arrests, acts of intimidation, violence and other abuses. These organizations particularly contest the security role assumed by certain young people in the party outside official state structures.

Kigarika, a training center

The question of the involvement of young people affiliated with the ruling party in security issues comes as their presence in paramilitary training structures has become more visible.

On September 3, Évariste Ndayishimiye went to Kigarika, in the district of Ruyigi, in the province of Buhumuza, where 231 members of the first promotion of the Reserve and Development Support Force (FRAD) received their berets after three months of training.

The former public seed multiplication center in Kigarika is now used as a training center. The lessons taught include combat techniques.

Ndayishimiye wants to transform the Imbonerakure into “commandos”

The current mobilization comes a few weeks after a declaration by President Évariste Ndayishimiye which relaunched the debate on the security role of the Imbonerakure.

On August 29, during the 10th edition of Imbonerakure Day organized at the Ingoma stadium in Gitega, the political capital of Burundi, the head of state declared that he wanted to transform the party’s youth into “commandos”. He notably stated : “We want every Burundian citizen to be a soldier”, before ensuring that Burundi was “well protected”.

The secretary general of the CNDD-FDD, Révérien Ndikuriyo, also called for strengthening the mobilization and vigilance capacities of the Imbonerakure.

These statements come as the country gradually prepares for the 2027 presidential election. The CNDD-FDD has already designated Évariste Ndayishimiye as its candidate for that contest.

Concerns within certain communities

In several districts of Buhumuza, residents—including individuals described as close to the local administration—are questioning the increasing calls for young members of the ruling party to participate in surveillance and security operations.

Some fear that these appeals could fuel tensions or lead to score-settling as the elections approach. Young people interviewed in the region state that they do not wish to be drawn into clashes, affirming that they would rather leave the country than take part in political confrontations.

Burundi has experienced recurring political violence since the 1990s. Against this backdrop, calls for vigilance, surveillance, and the militarization of the youth are emerging during a particularly sensitive electoral period.

Authorities continue to portray the Imbonerakure as young people dedicated to protecting peace, security, and the country’s development, while human rights organizations maintain their allegations regarding specific abuses. The presidential statement regarding their transformation into “commandos” adds a new dimension to the debate over their role in the Burundian society.