Pre-election tensions in Cibitoke : the opposition under pressure

SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, May 28, 2025 – One week before the legislative and district elections, Cibitoke province (northwestern Burundi) is becoming the scene of intimidation and targeted violence against opposition parties. Serious accusations are being leveled against the young Imbonerakure of the ruling party, while local authorities are downplaying the seriousness of the situation.

As Burundi’s general elections fast approach, the six districts of Cibitoke province are in the grip of growing tensions. Several opposition parties, including the UPRONA, the CNL, and the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition, are denouncing a series of acts of intimidation and violence orchestrated, according to them, by the young Imbonerakure affiliated with the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party.

According to several local sources, the situation has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks. “Our activists live in constant fear. Some have even fled to Tanzania or the DRC, even though it is at war,” confided an opposition member, speaking on condition of anonymity. Reports indicate death threats, physical attacks, and even the forced withdrawal of voter registration cards, targeting exclusively opposition supporters.

Acts tolerated by the authorities?

Even more worrying, these practices are reportedly tolerated or even encouraged by certain administration authorities and officials of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). “This election is already locked in,” laments a senior member of the Burundi Bwa Bose coalition. “We demand an immediate end to these acts of intolerance to ensure a free, transparent, and fair electoral process.”

A political scientist based in Cibitoke confirms this concern. According to him, the current configuration of the electoral code, combined with the de facto exclusion of Agathon Rwasa’s CNL, seriously compromises the credibility of the election.

Authorities deny the accusations

On the other side, the authorities dismiss these accusations. Alexandre Ngoragoze, head of the CNDD-FDD in the new province of Bujumbura, defends a peaceful political climate :

“Voters are free to choose their leaders. We do not tolerate any excesses,” he asserts.

The governor of Cibitoke, for his part, declares that he has not received any official complaints, while specifying that he remains attentive to anyone who has been aggrieved.

A test for Burundian democracy?

As the countdown begins for the June 5 elections, the democratic future of the province—and the entire country—remains dependent on the ability of institutions to guarantee a fair and peaceful electoral contest.