Forced contributions to the CNDD-FDD denounced in eastern Burundi

SOS Médias Burundi

Ruyigi, May 21, 2025 – In the provinces of Ruyigi, Cankuzo, and Muyinga, residents have been forced to pay financial contributions to the ruling party, the CNDD-FDD, since last March. This campaign is led by administrative members of the party who threaten those who refuse with administrative reprisals. The administration, however, turns a blind eye.

Concordant testimonies collected by SOS Médias Burundi report a campaign to collect forced contributions initiated in several localities in eastern Burundi. Officially, these contributions are intended to “ensure the smooth running of the elections” scheduled for next June. In reality, residents denounce constant pressure and intimidation tactics exerted by local CNDD-FDD structures.

Initially, activists from the ruling party would go through neighborhoods, house by house, in broad daylight, collecting the money and issuing receipts. More recently, the strategy has changed : contributions are now collected from the heads of ten households (Nyumbakumi) or from neighborhood and village leaders.

“Those who don’t pay this amount are sometimes deprived of basic administrative services,” says a Muyinga resident.

“It’s impossible to obtain a signature for a land or house sale contract, or for major transactions. Some are branded traitors or accused of collaborating with the Rwandan enemy, which is allegedly seeking to destabilize the regime.”

This situation prevails in the provinces of Ruyigi, Cankuzo, and Muyinga, which are to be merged after the elections to form the future province of Buhumuza. This territorial restructuring, according to some observers, aims to strengthen the CNDD-FDD’s control in this strategic region. The amounts imposed vary according to social class : 5,000 Burundi francs for farmers, 10,000 for mid-level civil servants, and over 20,000 for senior officials. In schools and hospitals, lists of contributors are being drawn up, sowing concern and unease among the population.

Opposition parties denounce this blatant inequality.

“We lack the means to campaign, while the CNDD-FDD benefits from funding imposed on the population,” laments a local official from a rival party.

No official statement has been made so far. However, according to several sources, it is indeed administrative members of the CNDD-FDD who are publicly threatening non-payers. The territorial administration is informed, but prefers to ignore the situation.

As the election approaches, between fear, silence, and resignation, residents of the eastern part of the country feel the weight of a party that confuses state structures with the political apparatus.

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A receipt given to a household that paid the contribution imposed by the CNDD-FDD on all residents of the eastern provinces, regardless of political distinction (SOS Médias Burundi)