Burundi: General Ndayihimiye and Agathon Rwasa in electoral campaign

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We are just over two weeks away from the general elections in Burundi, including a presidential election in which outgoing President Pierre Nkuruziza does not stand for re-election. We are witnessing a real duel at a distance between the two heavyweights of the presidential election, General Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling party presented as the favorite of an election that some consider played in advance, and his main challenger Agathon Rwasa, which surprises by its combativeness and its popularity on a good part of the population. And everyone goes with their own strategy. 

Publicity

General Evariste Ndayihimiye wants to capitalize since the start of his campaign on the popularity of the outgoing president. Pierre Nkurunziza therefore accompanies him in all his meetings and, on his electoral posters or in songs that call to vote for him, the candidate of the Cndd-FDD in power is presented as his "heir", who finally comes to put Burundi in the job.

General Evariste Ndayishimiye, who presents himself as the heir to the outgoing president, in a meeting in the province of Gitega, on April 27, 2020 (illustration). REUTERS / Evrard Ngendakumana

"  We have already built the foundations, now is the time to move forward on the path of development," said  General Ndayishimiye. And it's not just one man's fight! This is why I call on all Burundians to join me in this fight against poverty. We will eradicate it because we no longer want to see a single Burundian without work!  "

Success of Agathon Rwasa meetings 

The ruling party in Burundi is a real electoral steamroller, but its main adversary surprises. The CNL candidate, Agathon Rwasa also drains real human tides wherever he goes despite a repression which he says is hardening. And everywhere he advocates a "  total break  " with a regime which, he says, has made Burundians lose their "  dignity  ".

“  The time to regain dignity has come for Burundi. The CNL wants to build a Burundi for all. A Burundi where one is not targeted for his ideas, and where work is not reserved for members of the ruling party. It is a Burundi which will no longer make refugees, he says, but which will push those who are in exile today to return to their country  .

15 days before the presidential election, the tension continues to mount on the ground because Agathon Rwasa now calls on his supporters to give a blow for blow when they are attacked by the Imbonerakure , the youth league of the ruling party that the UN describes of militia.

► Read also:  In Burundi, the electoral campaign for the triple ballot begins

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Burundi: Election campaign for the triple ballot begins