Press release relating to the elections of June 5, 2025 in Burundi

PRESS RELEASE

Burundi’s 5 June 2025 elections: an electoral process marred by repression, fraud and media censorship

SOS-Torture/Burundi expresses its deep concern about the conduct of the legislative and communal elections of 5 June 2025, which took place in a climate of intimidation, targeted violence, electoral fraud and a clear shrinking of civic space. This process, instead of being a step towards democratic consolidation, has turned out to be a real regression in terms of political freedoms, transparency and citizen participation.

Evidence documented by SOS-Torture/Burundi and corroborated by multiple testimonies collected from journalists, observers and political party representatives reveals that the elections were strongly marked by intimidation and violence. In several provinces of the country, including Bubanza, Bujumbura, Gitega, Makamba, and Ngozi, Imbonerakure, a militia affiliated with the ruling party, were deployed to force citizens to vote under threat, expel opposition representatives from polling stations, and suppress any dissent. Arbitrary arrests and acts of physical violence were also recorded.

Download here Press release relating to the elections of June 5, 2025 in Burundi