The Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD ruling party calls on all political actors to get involved in the development of a roadmap to the 2020 elections. Some politicians say the political climate is not conducive to lead credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
Evariste Ndayishimiye, Secretary General of CNDD-FDD
“We call on the Ombudsman office to ensure that the recent talks held in Arusha are effectively concluded with the signing of a road map so that there is no pretext for distracting Burundians and preventing them from enjoying the implementation of the new Constitution, “said Evariste Ndayishimiye, secretary general of the ruling CNDD-FDD on June 14.
Tatien Sibomana, spokesperson for Amizero y’Abarundi opposition coalition, accuses the Burundian Ombudsman of being biased. “He is an influential member of the ruling party, reason why he cannot conduct a dialogue while he is part of conflicting parties,” said Sibomana. He believes that political actors should sign a road map concluded in a dialogue led by the international community in order to organize credible and transparent elections in 2020.
He said Burundians must first negotiate ways to promote politico-security environment and the opening of a political and media space to allow everyone to participate in these elections. “We will have to negotiate the return of Burundian refugees who must also participate in these elections,” he said adding that Burundi should also negotiate the restoration of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement before the 2020 elections takes place.
“The Arusha Accord gave political space to all political parties, which is not the case with the new Constitution,” says Sibomana. According to him, some provisions of the recently promulgated Constitution do not allow the conduct of inclusive elections since it excludes a part of the population. He also said that to hold credible and transparent elections, members of the Independent National Electoral Commission should be replaced arguing that they are manipulated by the ruling party.
Kefa Nibizi, chairman of FRODEBU Nyakuri, Iragi rya Ndadaye party, wishes that the 2020 elections be more inclusive than the 2015 ones. “Burundian refugees must also participate in them,” said Mr Nibizi. He believes it is important to conduct a dialogue that will allow exiled politicians to equally participate in these elections. “Whether this dialogue is conducted inside or outside the country, the bottom line is that it should be inclusive,” says Nibizi.
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