Burundi votes in election with opposition sidelined
Representative AI image
Voters in Burundi went to the polls to vote for a new parliament on Thursday, with the outcome almost predetermined after the main opposition was effectively blocked from competing.
The ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party, led by President Evariste Ndayishimiye, faces little electoral threat after a series of moves neutralized its primary rival, the National Freedom Council (CNL).
What do we know about the Burundi election?
The CNL, which placed second in the 2020 election amid alleged widespread fraud, was suspended in 2023 by the Interior Ministry over alleged "irregularities" in how it held meetings.
Later that year, while party leader Agathon Rwasa was abroad, the CNL ousted him in a move widely seen as orchestrated by the government.
He was replaced by Nestor Girukwishaka — a former minister and executive at a state-owned company with close ties to the ruling party — prompting accusations of a government-backed internal coup.
Rwasa and his allies have since been barred from joining other opposition groups or standing as independents, effectively shutting them out of Thursday's vote.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In
elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill
Learn More
Undo
One Burundian political analyst, speaking anonymously to the AFP news agency because of security fears, told the CNDD-FDD was leaving nothing to chance amid "a very deep socio-economic crisis."
Burundi, a former German colony, faces poverty and economic crisis
The country, already one of the poorest in the world, is grappling with widespread shortages, soaring inflation—reportedly exceeding 40% monthly—and rising public anger.
Burundi, a former German colony, has a long history of ethnic conflict, civil war, and authoritarian rule.
Thursday's vote, observers say, will likely reinforce the ruling party's grip on power as it faces mounting internal pressure over economic mismanagement and political repression.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Here's how FBI director Kash Patel got to know about the Donald Trump-Elon Musk ‘big' public fight
FBI Director Kash Patel learned about the public dispute between US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the taping of a Joe Rogan podcast . During the podcast, Patel was specifically informed about Musk's accusation linking Trump to the 'Epstein Files.' Patel, who has recently faced criticism from some supporters for distancing himself from conspiracy theories related to Jeffrey Epstein since becoming FBI director, appeared surprised by the tech billionaire's tweets about Trump's past association with Epstein. The interaction occurred as the relationship between Trump and Musk, who is a significant financial supporter of Trump's campaign and a figure in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), experienced a notable public breakdown earlier this week. Rogan paused his interview with Patel to inform the FBI chief of Musk's statements. What the FBI director Kash Patel said about the Trump-Musk dispute on Joe Rogan's podcast 'That's way outside my lane,' Patel noted, as Rogan asked, 'what the f**k' was going on between the president and his former 'first buddy.' About an hour into The Joe Rogan Experience recording, Musk responded to Trump's remark that he was 'disappointed' by the Tesla CEO's continued criticisms of the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' that Republicans are working to pass. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo After Musk's recent departure from the administration as a 'special government employee,' the tech mogul has become more vocal in opposing the president's legislation, arguing that it would 'bankrupt' the country. Shortly before Musk shared his X post, Patel had spent a large part of his Rogan interview trying to convince the conspiracy-minded podcast host that Epstein did commit suicide. Patel and his deputy director, Dan Bongino, both of whom had previously supported the idea that Epstein was murdered in jail, have faced criticism from right-wing influencers for now stating that the available evidence points to Epstein taking his own life. As Rogan began speculating whether Patel and the FBI had footage of Epstein's island residence, the show's producer interrupted to inform them that Musk had just made his allegation about Trump. What to Expect at WWDC 2025: iOS 19, AI, M4 Macs & More AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump-Musk breakup: Late-night hosts mock feud with sharp jokes, from ‘Love Island' jabs to ‘World War Douche' digs
As the public feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk took over headlines, late-night talk show hosts wasted no time tearing into the drama. With sharp wit and signature sarcasm, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Michael Kosta each offered their take on the bizarre fallout between the U.S. President and the billionaire tech mogul. Jimmy Fallon, on The Tonight Show, compared the once-friendly duo to a crumbling reality show couple. 'Things have taken a shocking turn with one of the hottest couples on 'Love Island'. Of course, I am talking about Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Trump and Elon has been brutally attacking each other all day. Seriously their relationship went off a cliff faster than a self-driving Tesla. I'm not saying its bad but right now Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are like, "Guys, take it easy. This is getting out of hand." He added, 'Today, Trump posted on social media that he asked Elon to leave and Elon went crazy. Just so we're clear, Trump thinks everything Elon did before this was not crazy? I can't believe their relationship fell apart this fast. A week ago they were all over each other, like Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at a Knicks Game.' Stephen Colbert, on The Late Show, described the feud as a "full-scale flame war" between 'the world's most famous besties.' Colbert quipped, 'A full scale flame war has broken out between the world's most famous besties - Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Here is where we stand. Musk spent all day yesterday slamming Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' to his 200 million followers on X. What's most impressive is that only half of those are his kids. Trump held his return fire until today in a press conference with German Chancellor. Trump's crack about the electric vehicle stung Elon so much that he wrote, 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and Republic would be 51-49 in the Senate.' He added, "As soon as Trump was done meeting with the German Chancellor, he clapped back - "Elon was 'wearing thin,' I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went crazy!" "I'm sorry? Went crazy? Elon has always lived at the geographic centre of insanitude. He is not the Mayor of Crazytown, he is the Governor of 'Off-his-Medsylvania'," Colbert quipped. Michael Kosta of The Daily Show, was just as savage. 'There's been simmering tension between Trump and Musk — the leader of the free world and the breeder of the free world.' He dubbed the fallout 'World War Douche,' adding, 'I thought these two billionaires with the world's biggest egos would work it out amicably.' As Trump and Musk's bromance continues to unravel, it seems the only clear winners here are the late-night comedy writers.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Thailand 'deeply saddened' by death of Gaza hostage: Ministry
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday it was "deeply saddened" by the death of a Thai hostage in Gaza whose body was retrieved by Israeli forces. Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said in a video statement the ministry "is deeply saddened to announce that today, the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv was informed by a representative of the Israeli government that Mr Nattapong Pinta , the last Thai hostage, has been confirmed dead." An Israeli military statement, which gave his name as Natthapong Pinta, said on Saturday its forces retrieved his body from the Rafah area of southern Gaza. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Baca Undo It said he was taken alive as a hostage during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and "was murdered while in captivity". The Israeli military statement blamed the Mujahideen Brigades, an armed group close to Hamas ally Islamic Jihad. Live Events Nikorndej said Nattapong was one of three Thais held hostage in Gaza. The other two were confirmed dead in 2024 but Nikorndej said Israel has "not yet been able to retrieve their corpses". He said the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has contacted Nattapong's family to inform them and would work with the Israeli side to return his body to Thailand as soon as possible. Nikorndej said the ministry "expresses its deepest condolences to Nattapong's family".
