Burundi’s First Free Elections Continue Despite Coronavirus Threat

Lexington — Burundi’s presidential election went ahead on May 20 despite international health professionals warning against large crowds and a lack of safety measures. The country, which has not seen a peaceful transfer of power since its independence in 1962, had been buzzing with anticipation for an election that could remove the divisive President Pierre Nkurunziza from office after 15 years.

Since campaigning began on April 27, the government has been accused of harassing the main opposition party, the National Freedom Council (CNL). After years of violence and protests, voters are ready to see a transfer of power and cast Nkurunziza out of office.

Nkurunziza was declared president by lawmakers in 2005, after a 12-year civil war that killed over 300,000 Burundians. After serving two terms, Nkrunziza declared that he was eligible to serve a third term beginning in 2015 because his first term had not been chosen by universal suffrage.

Following this declaration, protests erupted and security forces quickly and violently cracked down, killing hundreds and causing 400,000 to flee to neighboring countries. In 2018, he abruptly declared that he would not run for a fourth term and chose Evarist Ndayishimiye as the successor of his CNDD-FDD party.

Map courtesy of WikiMedia Commons — *Map courtesy of* *WikiMedia Commons*

The election is a head-to-head battle between Ndayishimiye and CNL candidate, Agathon Rwasa. Rwasa’s campaign has faced heavy intimidation by the government, with 145 CNL supporters being arrested since campaigning began.

Despite this, Rwasa’s rallies are full of crowds and citizens looking for change. Stephanie Wolters, a researcher for the South African Institute for International Affairs, told Deutsche Welle (DW), ”The impact from the last five years have been catastrophic for Burundians on all levels, from a surge in measles and malaria cases, to an economic downturn with loss of jobs and income.”

Burundians like Patrice, a 30-year old elementary school teacher, said in an interview with DW that she is ready to see a change in office, that "After 15 years of Nkurunziza in power, the hour for change has come. He has done good and bad things.” On the other hand, CNDD-FDD supporters want to continue the legacy of Nkurunziza by voting for Ndayishimiye. The 5.1 million eligible voters in Burundi are split.

On the morning of May 20, the country’s 3,800 polling stations were crowded with unmasked voters, eager to have their voice heard. Coronavirus transmission was not at the forefront of anyone’s mind, although hand-washing stations were provided. The country of 11 million has only recorded 42 positive cases and one death from COVID-19. Only 633 tests have been carried out in the country.

Burundi officials have been accused of downplaying the pandemic and citing divine intervention against the disease, which has encouraged large swaths of supporters to show up for rallies and voting.

*Current President Pierre Nkurunziza in a visit to South Africa, Nov 2014. Photo courtesy of South Africa*

Critics have also suggested that the government is setting up a perfect environment for election fraud by reducing election observers. Burundi officials expelled four WHO workers and put in place a 14-day quarantine period that would prevent foreign observers from the United Nations and the African Union from doing their job.

On the day of the election, citizens reported that Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram were made inaccessible. Jean Pierre Bazikamwe, a voter, told AP Press agency that "The government is cutting social media so that we don't tell the world what is happening.”

Rwasa also warned supporters of election fraud. He has said openly he would challenge the results if his party felt that votes had been tampered with. In a speech to his supporters Rwasa warned, "We know there is plan of election fraud, some are even intimidating people asking for their voter cards to vote for them. All of that is worthless."

Just days following the election, Rwasa asserted that the elections were not free, not fair and not transparent. Reports of violence in countryside towns like Muyinga have emerged in recent days, clashes between opposing parties. Many of these ambushes are attributed to the CNDD-FDD youth wing – known as the Imbonerakure meaning “those who see far” in the Kirundi language. The CNDD-FDD ruling party has made it a priority to keep its violence hidden from plain view, opting to obstruct evidence of repression and isolating its dirty work to remote areas where residents regularly find unidentified bodies in rivers.

This violence and intimidation has not, however, prevented Rwasa and the CNL party from celebrating an early victory. As initial votes begin to come in, Rwasa is claiming the polling officers have informed him that his party is leading in the presidential, parliamentary and communal election. The National Independent Electoral Commission is telling people to be patient as finalized results will not be available until at least Monday. With this vote finally in the books, Burundi has officially ended its 58-year drought of democratic transition.