Just hours before parliamentary and municipal elections scheduled for Thursday, June 5, residents of many villages in Cibitoke Province, northern Burundi—particularly in the communes of Buganda, Mugina, and Rugombo—have denounced nighttime attacks reportedly carried out by the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
These acts of intimidation and violence allegedly targeted voters perceived to be supporters of the opposition, especially the CNL party.
According to eyewitnesses, the attacks occurred on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. Groups of Imbonerakure reportedly patrolled the villages, going door to door, as reported by SOS Médias Burundi.
A resident of Buganda said: “They clearly told us we must vote for CNDD-FDD, otherwise we know what awaits us.”
Local sources report that ruling party members forcibly confiscated voter cards, particularly from individuals suspected of supporting the CNL. There were also reports of physical abuse.
Some residents say they were given up to 5,000 Burundian Francs to vote, with these bribes disguised as “election sensitization efforts.”
What’s most alarming, according to many witnesses, is the organized and coordinated nature of these nighttime operations.
A CNL leader in Rugombo said: “It seems like a well-planned strategy to silence dissent through fear.”
In response to these allegations, many opposition parties have mobilized, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), as well as national and international observers, to intervene immediately.
For their part, local Imbonerakure leaders have denied the accusations. The leader of the Imbonerakure in Mugina stated: “These are fabricated rumors aimed at damaging our reputation. We are confident we will win. There is no need to intimidate anyone.”
Burundians headed to the polls on Thursday, June 5, amid widespread fear and uncertainty among many voters in Cibitoke about their safety.
