Votes for a new Burundi congress started on Thursday, but there was little chance of an uproar because the main opposition had been effectively barred from running. The underprivileged, landlocked nation in west Africa has experienced autocratic rule, ethnic violence, and civil war for years. The National Council for the Defence of Democracy- Forces for the Defense of Democracy ( CNDD-FDD ) of President Evariste Ndayimiye, a former rebel group, has dominated Burundian politics since 2005. The National Freedom Council ( CNL ), which came second in the previous election in 2020 and claimed it was defrauded, is accused of undermining it. The CNL was suspended by the internal government in 2023 for “irregularities” in how it conducted its sessions. The CNL therefore removed previous militia commander Agathon Rwasa while he was away last year, a move he claimed was part of the government. Rwasa and his supporters were therefore effectively barred from joining other events or declaring themselves independents by the government’s new regulations. The ruling group was taking no chances because the votes were taking place amid” a very strong socio-economic problems,” according to a Burundian researcher who requested anonymity out of fear of reprisals. The analyst said Burundi is confronted by” all kinds of shortages, galloping inflation of more than 40 %, and growing popular discontent.”
Quite challenging for us:
Following Pierre Nkurunziza’s death, who had been in power since 2005 and had isolated the nation with his harsh and disorganized rule, President Ndayishimiye assumed office. Burundi’s right record is poor, with reporters, activists, and opposition figures all facing significant suppression, despite the fact that Ndayishimiye is viewed as less conservative. No response to the previous leader, Patrick Nkurunziza, the leader of the Burundi for All coalition, claimed that the plan had been “very hard for us.” He claimed that people of a government-aligned youth league known as the Imbonerakure were subject to” threats, intimidation, and occasionally even problems” from them. A group of advertising executives accused the Imbonerakure of detaining and torturing a columnist in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, next month. Candidates ‘ operations were also hampered by a gas shortage that has essentially paralyzed the nation for nearly three years, according to Nkurunziza. The CNDD-FDD is certain to win, according to the researcher, “in the presence of Agathon Rwasa’s CNL.” The majority of the other candidates are” key individuals, who are there only to show that politics is still being a reality in Burundi,” they continued. Up until 2005, Burundi saw years of racial violence and legal conflict. Seating in the legislature are split between the two ethnic groups, Hutu and Tutsi, pursuant to a peace deal signed in 2000. With almost two-thirds of Burundis still living below the$ 2.15 per day poverty line, the world’s poorest nation, are still there.
