Burundi’s civic space remains severely restricted, shaped by political repression and systemic impunity since the 2015 crisis triggered by former President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial third-term bid, which led to mass protests, a failed coup, widespread human rights violations, and forced many CSOs and independent media into exile. Despite initial hopes for reform under President Évariste Ndayishimiye, civic space has continued to deteriorate. Ahead of the 2025 legislative and municipal elections, reports indicated escalating political intolerance, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists, and human rights defenders.

The ruling CNDD-FDD maintains tight control over state institutions and security forces, while its youth wing, the Imbonerakure, is repeatedly implicated in harassment, enforced disappearances, and violence against perceived critics. The 2018 Constitution expanded presidential powers and weakened checks and balances, undermining judicial independence. Although freedoms of expression, association, and assembly are formally guaranteed, they are curtailed through restrictive CSO, media and criminal laws, including provisions enabling authorities to dissolve organisations deemed “politically motivated” and criminalise vague offences like “endangering state security.” Prosecutions of journalists, including Floriane Irangabiye and Sandra Muhoza, underscore these provisions’ use to silence dissent.

Electoral reforms have further narrowed participation, with prohibitive candidate fees, restrictive eligibility rules, politicised electoral institutions and sidelined opposition leaders. Socio-economic fragility, including high inflation, fuel shortages and widespread poverty, further limits civic participation and increases vulnerability to state coercion. Without structural reforms to CSO and media laws, speech offences and judicial independence, Burundi risks deepening authoritarianism and further marginalising independent civil society voices.