Rumonge : central market traders forced to pay 7 million Burundia francs for a CNDD-FDD event

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, February 17, 2026 – Traders at the central market in Rumonge, Burunga province, southern Burundi, have been forced to contribute 7 million Burundi francs to finance an event organized by the CNDD-FDD party, scheduled for February 28. This measure, announced last Friday, will continue until the total amount is reached.

According to several sources, the announcement was made at a meeting organized early on Tuesday by local officials of the ruling party. This sum is intended to finance the CNDD-FDD activists’ celebration of the party’s victory in the 2025 elections.

Market closed and strong presence of Imbonerakure

Witnesses report that the central market was closed from the early hours by members of the Imbonerakure, the youth league affiliated with the party. They occupied various strategic points in the market to monitor the vendors and ensure their attendance at the meeting.

Each vendor operating in the market is required to contribute up to a total of 7 million Burundi francs. The vendors’ representative was also present and reportedly supported party officials in organizing this collection.

Indignation and incomprehension

Some vendors expressed their indignation at this measure, which they described as coercive. “We don’t understand why we have to finance the victory celebration of a party we don’t belong to,” one of them confided, speaking on condition of anonymity. Others lamented the losses incurred during the morning : “We lost time and customers by being forced to attend this meeting,” another shopkeeper complained.

According to some residents, similar meetings are also being organized in different parts of the city to solicit contributions for the same activity. In the CNDD-FDD’s administrative structure, the Rumonge central market is considered a separate district, and the shopkeepers were informed that this collection will continue until the target amount is reached.

Historical context and systematic practice

Since the former Hutu rebellion came to power in 2005, following the Arusha Agreement of August 2000, traders have often been forced to finance activities of the ruling party, including crusades organized by its officials at the local and national levels. Civil servants and citizens, whether or not they are party members, are not spared.

This practice is considered unacceptable by the opposition, the local civil society, and international human rights organizations that closely monitor the human rights situation in the small east African nation.