Burundi opposition chooses candidate for May election

Burundi’s CNL opposition party has chosen its current chairman of the National Assembly as its candidate for the upcoming general election in May.

Agathon Rwasa, a former rebel leader who fought in Burundi’s civil war along with the current President, Pierre Nkurunziza, says he fears the government will rig the vote.

Upon announcing his nomination, Mr Rwasa, 56, told party delegates “As we are approaching elections, it’s surprising to hear that there are people thinking about rigging elections… Burundians will not let them do it”.

He will run against Evariste Ndayishimiye, the ruling CNDD-FDD candidate who was chosen in January, as President Nkurunziza will not seek another term.

Mr Ndayishimiye, CNDD-FDD’s secretary general, is a retired army general who heads the department for military affairs and has previously served as interior and security minister. 

The UN fears the May poll will be marred with violence.

In 2015 President Nkurunziza ran for a disputed third term, sparking clashes between the pubic and security forces, resulting in the deaths of hundreds.

The government has been accused of serious human rights abuses, including kidnap, torture, rape and murder.

Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world, has long been plagued by ethnic violence between its two main groups, Hutus and Tutsis. 

The country is trying to come to terms with its violent history, characterised by colonial oppression, ethnic fighting, civil war and genocide.

Photo: REUTERS/Evrard Ngendakumana