Burundi’s largest opposition party the National Freedom Congress is reportedly cracking as its founder Agathon Rwasa has been controversially removed from the top position while he was out of the country.
Rwasa the leader of CNL party founded in 2019 was on a trip in neighbouring Tanzania when a party meeting was held in his absence.
During this meeting Nestor Girukwishaka was elected as new party President for a 5-year term.
Rwasa is said to have initially opposed this party congress but the Burundian security apparatus intervened heavily including arresting individuals suspected of disrupting the party meeting.
The meeting was held at a time when CNL party activities had been suspended by the Ministry of Internal Affairs after tense divisions within the party leadership which broke out in early 2023.
Meanwhile, African opposition figures have since come together in support of Rwasa, with the Pan African Opposition leaders network condemning the Burundian government for allegedly working to unlawfully change the party’s leadership.
We call upon the Burundian authorities to refrain from the unjustified interference in the affairs of the CNL party or any other opposition group and to uphold the principles of Democracy, the rule of law, and Human rights outlined the East African Community Treaty,” said Mwanaisha Mdeme, Secretary For Foreign Affairs for ACT Wazalendo an opposition party in Tanzania.
