Burundi - December 2024

On 31 December, Burundi’s electoral commission disqualified all candidates from the main opposition party, National Freedom Council (Congrès national pour la liberté, CNL), and the only political coalition – Burundi Bwa Bose (Burundi for All) – set to contest the June 2025 legislative elections. The Burundi for All coalition, officially recognized by the interior ministry on 17 December, was barred because three of its four candidates are current CNL lawmakers, violating electoral laws which prohibit candidates from representing a suspended party. Political analysts believe the decision specifically targets the most competitive opposition figures, including Agathon Rwasa, the former CNL leader and presidential runner-up. Opposition groups condemned the decision as an attempt to eliminate competition, ahead of the elections.

Sources: SOS Médias Burundi, New Vision, News Central, Barron’s, Le Monde