Burundi: A Democracy Teetering Between Hunger and Political Strife

Editorial: reda El ghazal

Burundi is sinking into a dual humanitarian and political crisis as local and legislative elections approach in June 2025. More than 56% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition, exceeding the World Health Organization’s emergency threshold, while a surge of refugees fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo is straining already scarce resources. Since January, an additional 120,000 people have become dependent on food aid, and overwhelmed healthcare systems are struggling to meet rising demands.

Simmering political tensions are further destabilizing the country. President Évariste Ndayishimiye has accused Rwanda of supporting rebel groups seeking to destabilize Burundi—claims dismissed by Kigali as “baseless.” At the same time, tightening restrictions on press freedom and opposition activities are raising concerns about the credibility of the upcoming elections. Observers warn that escalating polarization threatens fragile democratic progress, with fears of violence overshadowing electoral preparations.

Caught between hunger and political uncertainty, Burundians face an uncertain future. The convergence of food insecurity, refugee inflows, and eroding civil liberties risks triggering rapid destabilization. International actors are calling for coordinated humanitarian and diplomatic interventions to prevent a silent collapse, stressing that without immediate support, Burundi’s path to stability could unravel irreversibly.