Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA’s Flags of All Countries used with permission.

Election Date: July 4, 2005

At stake: National Assembly

Background

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Since achieving independence from Belgium in 1963, Burundi has been plagued by civil war and a series of military and political coups. Fighting in the African nation is predicated primarily on the conflict between Burundi's two main ethnic groups: the Tutsis—a wealthy, powerful minority; and the Hutus—a historically poorer, power-excluded majority.

In 1993, violence intensified in the country. Melchior Ndadaye—the first elected president of Burundi and the first Hutu to assume the position—was assassinated less than five months after the ballot took place. Ndadaye's death triggered an ongoing conflict that has so far claimed more than 300,000 lives, and displaced thousands of people from their homes and farms.

A transitional government and constitution were established when the Arusha Agreement was signed on Aug. 28, 2000. The peace deal was facilitated by the United Nations (UN). Former South African president Nelson Mandela acted as a mediator in talks between Burundi's transitional government and several armed groups in an effort to achieve a ceasefire and bring and end to the decade-long civil war.

In August 2004, a settlement was reached to establish a system of Hutu and Tutsi power-sharing, encompassing the presidency, the National Assembly, and Burundi's National Army. The agreement allows current political parties and armed groups to be recognized as independent political forces, while also incorporating former fighters into the military.

In February 2005, only one armed group—the Forces for National Liberation of Agathon Rwasa (FNL)—continued to actively fight the civil war. Burundian voters approved a new constitution on Feb. 28.

Click here for Burundi 2004 Constitutional Referendum Election Tracker

2005 National Assembly Election

The first democratic ballot to take place in Burundi since June 1993 was scheduled for Apr. 22. For weeks, authorities in the African nation considered postponing the election due to logistical problems. On Mar. 15, following talks between Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni, South African deputy president Jacob Zuma and Burundian authorities, no further delays were expected.

The election is expected to be dominated by the Front pour la démocratie au Burundi (Frodebu—Front for the Democracy in Burundi) of current president Domitien Ndayizeye, and the Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie-Forces pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDD-FDD—National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy) of Pierre Nkurunziza.

Also on Mar. 15, the National Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed changes to the country's electoral regulations. The new code seeks to balance the appointment of communal administrators. No ethnic group would be permitted to hold more than 67 of the existing 117 communal administrator positions.

On Apr. 1, the United Nations (UN) informed that close to 150,000 Burundian refugees currently living in Tanzania would be repatriated in 2005. There are roughly 250,000 Burundians living in the neighbouring nation.

On Apr. 13, the Senate voted 46-0 to adopt the country's new electoral code. Still, the upper house has proposed 60 amendments, a fact that would certainly delay the National Assembly ballot.

On Apr. 15, head of the UN Burundi mission Carolyn McAskie expressed disappointment over a possible postponement of the election, saying, "I personally don't understand some of the amendments. These are procedures which can only delay the electoral process and which can be interpreted as a political interference in a technical process."

On Apr. 22, leaders from Africa's Great Lakes region opted to extend the transitional period, scheduling the National Assembly election for Jul. 4, the Senate election for Jul. 19 and the presidential election for Aug. 19. The new government must take over on Aug. 26.

On Jun. 18, two Frodebu candidates and a woman died in Bujumbura's Kamenge neighbourhood in an apparent grenade attack. Members of the CNDD-FDD have complained about the distribution of leaflets that accuse them of attempting to install a Tutsi-dominated regime with the assistance of Rwanda. Frodebu has denied any involvement in the controversial brochures.

On Jun. 19, Ndayizeye called on the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) to curb irregularities, saying, "The role of the commission is not only to organize the elections but also ensure rules are respected."

The European Commission has committed a team of eight election experts and 10 long-term observers to follow campaign developments in Burundi. Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner called the upcoming ballot "the chance for reconciliation between the people of Burundi and the establishment of a stable democratic political system."

On May 21, 30 different parties had registered to take part in the election. The United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) issued a statement, warning that the peacekeeping mission "will do everything to prevent a minority of individuals from undermining ongoing electoral process."

On Jun. 30, the Burundian army announced that 15 rebel fighters had been killed and 100 more had been captured, in operations aimed at preventing attacks during the legislative ballot. Army spokesman Adolphe Manirakiza said the government had evidence that the FNL "is preparing attacks to disrupt the coming parliamentary polls."

Voting took place on Jul. 4. CENI spokesman Astere Kana said the process was "going on peacefully," adding, "The start was a little difficult in terms of participation. There is a lot of hesitation from the voters, especially in rural Bujumbura rural and Bubanza." Those two particular areas saw problems during June's regional ballot. ONUM electoral unit head Ahmadou Seck reported only "minor irregularities" that would not affect the outcome.

On Jul. 5, CENI head Paul Ngarambe said the Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie-Forces pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDD-FDD—National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy) was leading with close to 60 per cent of all cast ballots.

On Jul. 6, Ndayizeye conceded defeat for his Front pour la démocratie au Burundi (Frodebu—Front for the Democracy in Burundi), saying, "I do accept the poll result." Turnout was tabled at 76.6 per cent.

On Jul. 7, CENI released final tallies. The CNDD-FDD secured 59 seats, followed by Frodebu with 24 and the Union pour le progrès national (Uprona—Union for National Progress) with ten.

On Jul. 11, CNDD-FDD leader Pierre Nkurunziza expressed confidence in becoming Burundi's next head of state, saying, "The final election is a simple formality." The 41-year-old Nkurunziza is a Hutu from the northern province of Njonzi.

On Jul. 12, Frodebu spokesman Jean de Dieu Mutabazi said the political organization would not field a presidential nominee, declaring, "We don't have enough seats in the National Assembly, we will not have enough senators."

On Aug. 14, Frodebu suspended chairman Jean Minani. A statement issued by 70 party members held Minani directly responsible for the party's poor showing in the parliamentary ballot.

New interim chairman Leonce Ngendakumana said the political organization's rules "give power to the governing council (...) to suspend the chairman in case he is accused of failing to lead the party well." Minani rejected the decision, saying, "Only a general assembly has the right to sack or suspend the chairman."

On Aug. 18, the Forces for National Liberation of Agathon Rwasa (FNL) armed group launched six artillery shells on the northeast corner of Bujumbura. Burundi armed forces spokesman Adolphe Manirakiza reviewed the situation, saying, "We think that the FNL is planning to intensify attacks just to show that it is still present on the ground and maybe put some pressure on the new government to talk to them."

On Aug. 19, the National Assembly elected Nkurunziza in a 151-9 vote. The 40-year-old Nkurunziza declared, "The blood shed in the last twelve years is a lot and enough. We need to stop the war as soon as possible. We must fight against regional or ethnic divisions, combat poverty through improving health and education."

Nkurunziza was sworn in on Aug. 26.

Political Players

President: Pierre Nkurunziza - CNDD-FDD

The power-sharing government includes Uprona and Frodebu.

Legislative Branch: The Assemblée nationale (National Assembly) has 100 members, elected to five-year terms. The transitional Senate (Sénat) has 53 members, appointed in January 2002 with "respect to ethnic and political parity." The new Senate will have two delegates from each province, elected by members of district councils to represent various ethnic communities.

Results of Last Election:

National Assembly - Jul. 4, 2005

Archive Search

Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Election Tracker archive.