Burundi
Burundi exhibits low-range performance across all four categories of the Global State of Democracy framework, falling among the world’s bottom 25 per cent of countries in the majority of factors of democratic performance. Over the last five years, it has experienced advances in Absence of Corruption and Personal Integrity and Security. Burundi is a low-income, poorly diversified economy, with 85 per cent of the population employed in agriculture.
In 1890, Burundi and Rwanda were incorporated into the German Protectorate of East Africa, which was conceded to Belgium following World War I. Colonial rule favoured the Tutsi ethnic group, which created politicized cleavages between the Hutus and Tutsis. Since its independence in 1962, Burundi has been ruled by the National Council for the Defense of Democracy–Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) – a rebel-movement (during the 1993-2005 Burundian Civil War) turned political party.
Ethnically-based conflict over access to resources has included 12 years of civil war (1993-2005) and four violent massacres (in 1965, 1977, 1988, and 1993). In 2005, power-sharing between political parties and ethnic groups was enshrined in the Arusha agreement and a new constitution. Though ethnic violence has decreased, state-perpetrated violence and human rights violations mar the political landscape. Today, the CNDD–FDD is firmly in control, having almost entirely co-opted the country’s institutions. This co-optation has resulted in serious limits to power-sharing and executive accountability, and in 2015 allowed the then-President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third term despite a two-term constitutional limit; a move that prompted a coup attempt and widespread unrest. The regime’s violent response to these events led to international isolation and sanctions. In recent years, the CNDD-FDD system has made some concessions with regards to civil liberties, but the political climate remains highly intolerant of dissent. In 2023, the main opposition party, the National Freedom Council (CNL), was suspended and the 2025 general elections were marred by allegations of fraud, attacks on opposition activists and journalists and the disqualification of key opposition candidates. The government faces armed opposition from a number of rebel groups, most notably the RED-Tabara, which is based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in recent years has stepped up its attacks in Burundi.
Burundi is composed of three main ethnic groups: the Hutus (85 per cent), Tutsis (14 per cent) and Twa (Batwa) (1 per cent). The Twa, descended from the original forest-dwelling inhabitants of Burundi, are mostly landless and economically marginalized. Reserved parliamentary seats exist for the Twa. Though a constitutional gender quota has helped bolster women’s political representation and legal protections from sexual violence and exploitation of women and girls exist, discriminatory laws and traditional practices persist. Women also lack control over economic resources. Same-sex sexual activity has been criminalised since 2009, with a recent case of a court charging 24 people under the LGBTQIA+ law.
Looking ahead, Representation will be an important area to monitor, particularly Effective Parliament, following the ruling party’s landslide victory in the 2025 general election, in which it secured all 100 seats in the National Assembly. The renewed conflict in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo has the potential to destabilize Burundi, not least in terms of the strain that the influx of refugees has placed on the country’s limited resources.
Last updated June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2025
Pre-election violence targets opposition and journalists
Repression against opposition parties and journalists intensified ahead of the 5 June legislative and local elections, with security forces and suspected members of the ruling CNDD-FDD (Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie–Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie) party’s youth wing reportedly escalating attacks. The crackdown, which began in late April and worsened in May, included arrests, abductions, and violent assaults. A journalist was kidnapped and beaten on 28 April, and in early May, two opposition activists were seriously injured or detained. Journalists also reported threats and obstruction at roadblocks. Although the election campaign was launched on 9 May, leading opposition figures boycotted it, citing ruling party dominance. Since 13 May, parties have reported intimidation, blocked rallies, and destruction of voter cards. On 3 June, the interior minister acknowledged youth wing involvement and said most perpetrators had been arrested.
Sources: SOS Médias Burundi, International Crisis Group, Reporters Without Borders, X
March 2025
Burundi sees largest refugee influx in decades, straining resources
In March, the United Nations (UN) reported that at least 70,000 people fleeing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo had crossed into Burundi since the start of the year, marking the country’s largest refugee influx in decades. The majority of new arrivals are women, children, and the elderly. Many are living in overcrowded transit camps, schools, churches, and stadiums, with some sleeping in open fields. The UN described conditions in the camps as ‘extremely dire.’ The crisis is worsening food insecurity across Burundi, where over 70 per cent of the population already struggles to meet basic needs and nearly 56 per cent of children under five suffer from stunting (impaired growth due to malnutrition), further complicating humanitarian support efforts. The World Food Programme is providing hot meals to new arrivals but cut rations for existing refugees in March–from 75 per cent to 50 per cent of the full food entitlement–due to limited resources.
Sources: News Central, United Nations, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Food Programme, Associated Press, Reuters
December 2024
Opposition candidates blocked from upcoming elections
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
November 2024
Mass clemency reduces prison overcrowding
On 20 November, Burundi initiated the release of 4,000 prisoners, constituting roughly 40 per cent of the country’s prison population, as part of President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s clemency decree aimed at alleviating chronic overcrowding. Prison facilities, operating at over 300 per cent capacity, have long been criticized for harsh conditions, including severe overcrowding that compromises prisoner safety, sanitation, and access to basic necessities like food and healthcare. The clemency prioritized those convicted of minor offenses and nearing the end of their sentences. However, opposition groups criticized the measure for excluding political prisoners, who number between 4,000 and 5,000, many of whom are reportedly members of opposition political parties. Local monitors have welcomed the move as a necessary step but stressed the need for broader reforms to address systemic issues in the penal system.
Sources: SOS Media Burundi, Voice of America – Africa (1), Voice of America – Africa (2), Independent Online
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