Déclaration  Posté le 13:33 17-09-2024, modifié le 13:33 17-09-2024 par Tournons La Page

In any democratic state, elections are normally considered a popular consultation allowing citizens to be elected and to choose leaders. This choice must be free, transparent, and peaceful.

In Burundi, elections are often marred by acts of intimidation and harassment in various forms before, during, and after the polls. Elections are not an unexpected or random event; they require adequate preparation and organization. The budget for financing the elections should be provided for by the electoral law, along with external support and assistance. Political parties should organize themselves and self-finance their participation in elections through contributions from members, elected officials, and donations received.

However, since 2015, following the socio-political crisis caused by Pierre Nkurunziza’s illegal third term, which led to a diplomatic crisis between Burundi and the international community, there has been an internal and forced mobilization of funds by the CNDD-FDD among the population to finance elections or to obtain operational funds.

During the official launch of the electoral campaign for the 2025 elections, the President of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, addressed these contributions by reassuring the people that they are voluntary contributions meant to demonstrate a high level of sovereignty.

He added that no money would be deducted at the source or from any bank account. Nevertheless, President Evariste Ndayishimiye did not fail to mention that he is already receiving calls from those who want to voluntarily contribute.

This has become a misguided practice of extracting money from the Burundian people. The phenomenon generally intensifies as elections approach. For the 2025 elections, the ruling party announced its intention to collect funds for the organization of the elections from its members or sympathizers.

Official speeches by authorities that differ from actions on the ground

Since civic duty or patriotism should not be mandatory, TLP-Burundi believes that the CNDD-FDD party has used this practice to extort money from the Burundian people by forcibly collecting contributions for the 2025 elections.

A directive was issued by the leaders of the ruling party, starting with the party's Secretary General, Révérien Ndikuriyo, to the various organs of the CNDD-FDD throughout the country to begin collecting funds from August 29, 2024.

Since then, the entire country has been swarmed by Imbonerakure and local officials forcing every person to pay an amount ranging between 1,000 Burundian Francs (Fbu) and 5,000 Burundian Francs (Fbu), in exchange for a receipt bearing the CNDD-FDD logo, regardless of whether they are members of the CNDD-FDD or not. Those who refuse are registered in a list of people labeled as "Ibipinga" or opponents.

No group of people is spared across the country. Physical persons must pay an amount of 50,000 Fbu, while medium-sized legal entities are required to give 100,000 Fbu. This applies to shops, bars, restaurants, with higher amounts demanded from hotel and business owners.

Systematic contributions that are stirring public anger

Fund collections are organized across the country, and the population is denouncing these indiscriminate contributions.

For illustrative purposes, TLP-Burundi reports on some incidents observed at the beginning of September 2024:

• Throughout the country, Imbonerakure, in particular, go from household to household to collect these funds "allegedly" intended for the ruling party’s 2025 electoral campaign;
• Markets, shops, and stores are prime targets, as seen in the Ngozi province;
• Vehicle parking lots, bicycle-taxis, and motorcycle-taxis are also targeted by the Imbonerakure. Receipts are issued directly without explanation to force people to pay immediately, as seen in Rumonge, Kamenge, Kinama, Bujumbura, Muramvya;
• In some other regions of the country, such as Kirundo, it is more exaggerated as one cannot even send a child to fetch water without showing the payment receipt for the CNDD-FDD funds;
• Furthermore, access to public services, including market access, is conditioned upon the payment of these funds, as seen in Shombo commune in Karusi province;
• To access social services like sugar distribution, one must show the contribution receipt, as has occurred in Muramvya commune;
• If one refuses to pay, local officials or the Imbonerakure issue threats or seize an item of equal value to the amount that should have been contributed, as noted in Cibitoke;
• In many regions of the country, barriers have been set up along roads and around local tax collectors, as seen in Kayanza;
• Whether one is a member of the CNDD-FDD or not, it is impossible to avoid this mandatory payment if engaging in any income-generating activity, as observed in the provinces of Karusi, Makamba, Rutana, Cibitoke, and Bubanza;
• In some regions, these forced contributions must be paid by anyone attending social obligations such as weddings, as seen in the case of Bururi.

TLP-Burundi’s considerations:

• In a pluralistic system, it is unacceptable for a political party to coerce the entire population into contributing to its cause;
• The responsibility to contribute financially lies solely with the party's militants and members; the CNDD-FDD must leave the rest of the Burundian population alone;
• TLP-Burundi is aware of the suffering of the Burundian people and describes the fund collection as a planned robbery or disguised extortion;
• The behavior of the CNDD-FDD clearly shows that it acts like a party-state with an unprecedented dictatorial philosophy.

From the above, TLP-Burundi recommends:

To the Ministry of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security:

• To immediately put an end to the CNDD-FDD's actions and break its complicit silence, in order to demonstrate that it does not serve the ruling party at the expense of the people's interests.

To the Ministry of Justice:

• To act by initiating proceedings to stop this flagrant violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, which manifests as organized theft orchestrated by the CNDD-FDD.

To the ruling CNDD-FDD party:

• To cease all forms of coercion and intimidation against the Burundian people;
• To distinguish between militants and non-militants in the collection of contributions to alleviate the suffering of the Burundian people, who are already facing extreme poverty.

Done on September 11, 2024

Anitha GATERETSE
National Coordinator / TLP-Burundi