VIII. State-Sanctioned Political Intimidation by CNDD-FDD Youth Groups

Towards the end of 2008, CNDD-FDD youth groups in several parts of the country began to mobilize in quasi-military displays of public strength. These displays constitute political intimidation, and the involvement of local officials and the complacent reaction of more senior CNDD-FDD officials suggest that this is sanctioned by the authorities. Beginning in December 2008, residents of Busoni commune, Kirundo province and Kayogoro commune, Makamba province reported “militia-like” activities by former FDD combatants and members of the CNDD-FDD youth league, known as “Imbonerakure.” The youth, with the acquiescence of local administrative, police, and party officials, carried out harassment and arrests of political opponents.

In Kayogoro, for example, CNDD-FDD youth marched through the streets in the evening, armed with sticks and clubs, singing military songs; a journalist who documented these activities said that the song lyrics, in Kirundi, included phrases such as “Those who are not with us are going to have problems.” The journalist also received reports that this group participated in nighttime military training in a field, armed with Kalashnikovs and grenades.[227] A BINUB official reported that a group of at least 12 former FDD combatants along with local administrative officials carried out nighttime patrols, arresting over a dozen members of the political opposition, particularly FNL members. They detained them in an illegal jail cell nearby.[228]

In Busoni commune, Kirundo province, the CNDD-FDD youth league engaged in “night-time sports,” which involved parading with large sticks in military fashion.[229] According to media reports, these youth also chanted threatening slogans about “crushing their opponents.” Jean Minani, a prominent parliamentarian from Busoni and founder of “Frodebu-Nyakuri,” a splinter group of FRODEBU that generally aligns with CNDD-FDD, told Human Rights Watch he had observed the activities. He confirmed that the youth were armed with sticks and clubs, and chanted slogans in Kirundi which roughly translated as “Those who are not with us will be sent into exile or die.” He described the group as “practically a paramilitary group,” and said it was used by local officials to threaten political opponents and carry out arrests.[230]

In both cases the illegal behavior was encouraged or tolerated by government and party officials. The Governor of Makamba dismissed concerns about groups in Kayogoro, referring to them as “local security committees.”[231] CNDD-FDD spokesperson Onésime Nduwimana explained that local party members were attempting to mobilize the community to patrol and find those who were burning down their headquarters. He said the problem was that the patrols had become obligatory, with party members compelling others to participate. He recognized that the forced patrols were interpreted by others as intimidation, and said the police should take over the patrols.[232] In the case of Busoni, Nduwimana said the youth group’s activities were “simply sports”[233] and were not intended to intimidate the political opposition.[234]

The Imbonerakure’s activities in neighboring communes indicated otherwise, according to media and UN reports. In early February in Bugabira commune, Kirundo province, youth group members forcibly dispersed meetings of two political parties, UPRONA and UPD-Zigamibanga.[235] In Butihinda commune, Muyinga province, theImbonerakure beat a pregnant woman who refused to help them transport material to construct a CNDD-FDD meeting place.[236] 

Opposition parties have expressed fear that the Imbonerakure are being trained as a pro-government militia.[237] In February one Busoni resident told the local Burundian newspaper Iwacu that the groups were engaged in military training at a shooting range known as Yanza in Busoni. He said the group had attempted to recruit him, but that he had refused. CNDD-FDD officials interviewed by Iwacu denied the allegations.[238] The formation of militias is a violation of Burundian law.[239]