Amidst a climate of economic hardship, Burundians are casting votes as the governing party's hold on power faces scrutiny amidst allegations of harassment against opposition supporters.
Burundi Elections: Ruling Party Faces Growing Discontent Amid Economic Challenges
Burundi Elections: Ruling Party Faces Growing Discontent Amid Economic Challenges
As voters prepare for elections in Burundi, the ruling CNDD-FDD party grapples with rising inflation and political suppression that threaten its long-standing authority.
In Burundi, citizens are set to vote for seats in the National Assembly, Senate, and local councils, taking place against a backdrop of escalating inflation, fuel shortages, and claims of political repression. The ruling CNDD-FDD party, in power for two decades, faces a pivotal moment as this election acts as a litmus test for its waning popularity. However, President Évariste Ndayishimiye remains secure in his position, serving a seven-year term that lasts until 2027.
Despite being one of the world’s poorest nations, residents are feeling the pinch from rising costs for basic necessities such as food, compounded by a fragile economic situation. The opposition parties have raised concerns about intimidation tactics from the ruling party’s youth wing, the Imbonerakure, leading many supporters to feel insecure about displaying their loyalty openly. Gabriel Banzawitonde, leader of the APDR party, expressed that fear pervades amongst citizens, with supporters hesitating to wear their party colors in public but promising to vote in favor of change once in private.
Political analysts have remained reticent to comment on the situation for fear of backlash; one expert anonymously stated that caution is necessary to avoid “unnecessary trouble.” Recent remarks from some CNDD-FDD officials have sparked fears of an impending push towards a one-party system, with party secretary-general Reverien Ndikuriyo suggesting that a unified political structure may be crucial for development, a historical assertion that has been met with skepticism.
Burundi currently suffers from chronic foreign currency shortages, necessary for crucial imports like fuel and medicine, causing economic activity to stagnate. The nation’s foreign currency reserves reportedly amount to less than a month's supply for imports, far below the regional standard of four months. Long queues for fuel have become commonplace, with motorists waiting days to obtain basic necessities.
According to the World Bank, the average annual income of a Burundian in 2023 stands at an alarming $193 (£142), marking the lowest in the East African Community. Economist and anti-corruption advocate Faustin Ndikumana asserts that the prospect for improvement seems bleak without the establishment of good governance. In contrast, President Ndayishimiye argues that residents in Burundi’s largest city, Bujumbura, have experienced improved living conditions since 2005, citing increased economic activity as evidence of progress.
The CNDD-FDD party continues to leverage its narrative of advocating for the Hutu majority, who have faced what they perceived as long-standing oppression under previous Tutsi-dominated administrations. As Burundi navigates this critical moment, the outcomes of the elections may well shape the future trajectory of the nation.
