Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FDD, has officially selected incumbent President Évariste Ndayishimiye as its candidate for the 2027 presidential elections.
Ndayishimiye was endorsed during an extraordinary general assembly of the party held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in the political capital, Gitega.
In his oath as the party’s presidential flagbearer, Ndayishimiye pledged before God and party members that he would remain loyal to the Burundian people and work toward the development of both the party and the nation.
“I swear before Almighty God and before this General Assembly that I will not betray the citizens. I will dedicate myself to advancing the party and the country,” he said.
“I also commit to respecting and upholding all the guiding principles of the party.”
Ndayishimiye, who has been in power since 2020, is now seeking a second term in office.
His first term has been marked by economic challenges, largely linked to sanctions imposed on Burundi following the political crisis of 2015. Despite these difficulties, Ndayishimiye has repeatedly maintained that the country is economically stable.
The period has also seen high-profile arrests within both the military and the ruling party, including former Prime Minister General Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, who was convicted over allegations related to a plot against the President, though he was later pardoned.
On the regional front, Burundi became actively involved in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Ndayishimiye deploying thousands of troops and military equipment to fight armed groups such as the AFC/M23 rebels.
Relations between Burundi and Rwanda initially improved at the start of Ndayishimiye’s presidency but deteriorated again in 2024 after Burundi closed all land borders with its neighbor. The Burundian leader has since made several strong and controversial statements regarding Rwanda.
Currently, Ndayishimiye also serves as Chairperson of the African Union, a position he assumed in February 2026.
KIGALI TIMES