As Burundi heads to the polls to elect members of the National Assembly and local councils, the ruling CNDD-FDD party seeks to consolidate its hold on power amid growing economic and political challenges. President Évariste Ndayishimiye, currently serving a seven-year term that ends in 2027, remains unchallenged in his position, but the legislative elections will test the popularity of the party that has governed Burundi for the past two decades.
Burundi’s economy is under severe strain. Once one of the poorest countries globally, it now faces soaring inflation and critical shortages, especially in fuel and essential imports such as medicine. Chronic foreign currency shortages have forced the country to operate with reserves sufficient for less than a month’s imports far below the regional standard of four months. This scarcity has resulted in long fuel queues that can last days or weeks, disrupting daily life for many Burundians.
The economic hardships compound a tense political atmosphere marked by allegations of repression. Opposition parties accuse the CNDD-FDD’s youth wing, the Imbonerakure, of harassing their supporters. Gabriel Banzawitonde, leader of the APDR party, describes an environment where voters fear openly displaying opposition colors but promise to support opposition candidates in private at the ballot box.
Political analysts suggest the elections are heavily skewed in favor of the CNDD-FDD, with some party officials even proposing a one-party system for the country a move that would effectively eliminate political competition. Fear of retaliation has led many experts to remain silent about the electoral process.
Despite the turmoil, President Ndayishimiye and the ruling party emphasize progress made since coming to power. The CNDD-FDD highlights its role in empowering the majority Hutu population, who had been marginalized under previous regimes dominated by the Tutsi minority.
Economists and activists, however, remain skeptical. Faustin Ndikumana, an anti-corruption advocate, stresses the urgent need for good governance as the key to Burundi’s recovery—a goal that, for now, remains elusive.
