Impassable roads, recycled promises… The CNDD-FDD is playing for high stakes in Rumonge

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, May 29, 2025 — On Wednesday, the Rumonge stadium (southwestern Burundi) was the scene of a political rally led by the secretary general of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, Révérien Ndikuriyo. Speaking before a crowd from the districts of Rumonge, Burambi, and Buyengero, the party leader promised the rehabilitation of the Mutambara-Bururi and Bururi-Makamba roads, provided residents vote overwhelmingly for the CNDD-FDD in the upcoming elections.

This statement is in line with the ruling party’s campaign promises. However, it has sparked numerous reactions, ranging from skepticism to outrage. Some residents we met after the meeting did not hesitate to describe these promises as “baseless,” pointing to the government’s many unfulfilled commitments regarding road infrastructure in the region.

On a bus from Rumonge to Bujumbura, several passengers questioned Révérien Ndikuriyo’s sincerity. One even doubted whether he had ever used the RN3, which connects Rumonge to Bujumbura or Rumonge to Nyanza-Lac, roads currently in a deplorable state. Other passengers expressed surprise at the announcement of new rehabilitation projects, while projects already underway, such as those on the Rumonge-Gitaza and Rumonge-Nyanza-Lac roads, have stalled.

According to sources close to employees of the company responsible for rehabilitating these roads, work on the Rumonge-Gitaza section was suspended before Christmas 2024. The entire staff has been laid off, and negotiations with the government for a budget increase remain without a clear outcome, according to the Burundi Road Agency. The Chinese company in charge of work on the Rumonge-Nyanza-Lac road is facing the same difficulties, paralyzing all progress.

Meanwhile, the condition of the roads continues to deteriorate: potholes every five meters, frequently damaged vehicles, and significant losses for hauliers. The latter deplore the reduction in the number of daily trips between Rumonge and Bujumbura (the commercial capital), from three to one, while travel times have doubled, now reaching four hours. The price of a public transport ticket, officially set at 6,500 francs, has skyrocketed to 15,000 francs due to the deterioration of the roads and the fuel shortage.

Faced with this situation, many residents are appealing to political leaders : they are calling for an end to demagogic rhetoric and demanding realistic commitments based on the government’s real capabilities. “It’s time to stop promising the impossible,” says a visibly exasperated resident of Buyengero.

In the midst of an election campaign, political promises are multiplying, but the population’s expectations remain focused on concrete results. Road rehabilitation in Rumonge province thus remains a major issue, central to the daily concerns of a population that feels abandoned.

Between potholes and campaign rhetoric, Burundians already know which of the two is costing them more.