On 12 and 13 February 2025, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) hosted a two-day workshop with leaders of civil society organizations involved in elections at the Royal Palace Hotel in Bujumbura. This event, which included only those organizations that signed collaboration agreements with CENI for the 2025 elections, builds on previous meetings held on 17 May 2024 and 17 January 2025. The objective was to achieve a harmonized understanding of civic education, electoral education, and electoral observation through constructive dialogue.
This workshop has significant implications for the enabling environment for civil society in Burundi. It demonstrates a move towards respecting and protecting fundamental civil society freedoms by fostering cooperation between the government and civil society. The event also highlights the supportive legal framework provided by Article 92 of the Constitution of Burundi and Article 4 of Decree No. 100/125 of 31 August 2018, which facilitates such engagements. However, the fact that many of CENI’s civil society partners are linked to the ruling party, while some independent organizations have been deregistered or suspended, underscores ongoing challenges. This event represents both an opportunity for enhanced cooperation and a reminder of the need for continued efforts to ensure an open and responsive state, supportive public culture, and sustainable resources for civil society actors in Burundi.