Election campaign : state resources at the service of the CNDD-FDD

SOS Médias Burundi

Ngozi, May 15, 2025 – On Wednesday, the district of Kiremba, in Butanyerera province (northern Burundi), hosted a major rally of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, marked by the presence of the President of the Republic. But beyond the political mobilization, it is the massive use of state resources for the benefit of the ruling party that is sparking outrage.

Administration vehicles were diverted for the campaign. All department heads and district administrators were mobilized for the event, using vehicles with yellow plates, usually reserved for official missions. According to several concordant sources, the fuel used was taken from stocks intended for administrative travel, to transport activists.

The vehicles were filled with members of the Imbonerakure youth league and Bagumyabanga (the name given to members of the former Hutu rebellion) officials from different districts. This practice calls into question the administration’s neutrality during an election period.

The opposition denounces an unfair campaign

Opposition officials denounce a blatant inequality and a clear abuse of public resources.

“It’s a blatant waste of public resources to support a single party, whereas we have no access to any comparable resources,” laments a local representative of a rival political party. These parties are demanding equitable access to public resources for all political components involved in the campaign.

Fuel prioritized for the majority, frustrated citizens

In several provinces, governors reportedly requisitioned fuel from petrol stations exclusively for the CNDD-FDD’s logistical needs. As a result, citizens who came to fill up, according to the schedule established by license plates, found their tanks empty. Anger is rising among users, forced to leave empty-handed.

Administration paralyzed on the day of the rally

On that day, many public services remained closed. Citizens who came for administrative procedures found their doors locked.

“It’s unacceptable for an entire service to be interrupted for a political rally. The administration isn’t supposed to operate at the pace of a party,” protested a Kiremba resident.

What does the Burundian law say about the use of public property during elections?

The Burundian electoral law strictly prohibits the use of state resources for partisan purposes. According to Article 60 of the Electoral Code, “public property, means of transportation, and funds may not be made available to a political party or candidate during the campaign.”

Furthermore, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) is supposed to ensure equal treatment among all political actors. The use of government vehicles, public service fuel, or the mobilization of government personnel for partisan activities therefore constitutes a serious breach of this principle of fairness.

Despite these provisions, abuses are regularly denounced, without any sanctions being imposed to date. For many observers, the lack of response from regulatory institutions undermines the credibility of the electoral process.

A climate of tension in the midst of an election period

Just weeks before the elections, this situation raises fears of a biased electoral process. The use of public resources to benefit the CNDD-FDD, without any counterbalance, risks further undermining citizens’ confidence in the fairness and transparency of the election.

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Thousands of CNDD-FDD activists at a rally in Kiremba, Butanyerera province, photo credit : CNDD-FDD