Election campaigns for presidential and legislative seats in
Burundi have kicked off ahead of the May 20 General Election, putting
the country at risk of suffering a surge in new Covid-19 infections from
close contact at the massive political rallies.
Burundi’s
ruling party, CNDD-FDD, kicked off its campaigns in the country’s new
political capital Gitega on April 27, while the main opposition leader
Agathon Rwasa started his campaigns in his native home-town of Ngozi.
Outgoing
President Pierre Nkurunziza introduced the CNDD-FDD presidential
candidate Eavriste Ndayishimiye to thousands of supporters in Bugendana
and described him as “a lucky man.”
“We from the
CNDD-FDD named the term from 2015 to 2020 God’s term because we went
through many challenges and overcame them,” said President Nkurunziza.
The
outgoing leader’s decision to run for another term in office in 2015
sparked violence across the country, which saw hundreds lose their lives
while thousands fled to neighbouring countries.
The
ruling party’s flag bearer Mr Ndayishimiye has vowed to unite Burundians
and end ethnic tensions that have plagued the country for decades.
However, the close proximity of people at political rallies has
sparked concerns that coronavirus infections could spike in the country.
The
country has 11 reported cases and one death so far, even as global
figures soared to nearly 3.3 million infections and more than 234,000
deaths as at May 1. Four of the positive cases have fully recovered.
Countries
such as Spain, Italy and the US have suffered heavy death tolls after
they reportedly ignored health experts’ warnings to enforce social
distancing when the pandemic hit their shores.
The World Health Organization has advised against mass gatherings such as those in political rallies.
The
landlocked country has closed its borders to try and stop spread of the
virus, only letting in cargo trucks. Residents have also been advised
to wash their hands frequently and avoid handshakes, but life is largely
carrying on as normal.
No social distance
Health
officials provided hand sanitisers and measured body temperatures of
supporters at the entrance to the campaigning ground for the ruling
party candidate in Bugendana, but there was no social distancing in the
field.
Seven candidates who are running for the
presidency will hold campaign rallies for three weeks. The government
has insisted that elections will be held on May 20 regardless of the
pandemic.
Observer missions
Political
analysts have questioned the integrity of the elections due to the lack
of observer missions, but have lauded the impending change in the
office of the president.
“The good thing is that there
will be change in the country as whoever takes over will want to leave
their own legacy, however there is concern about their credibility as
there is no observer mission in the country,” political science lecturer
at the University of Burundi, Simeone Barumwete, told The EastAfrican in Bujumbura.
Restricted
political space is also a concern in the country as some opposition
leaders have reported harassment by security organs.
“We’re
just starting the campaigns but already abuses and arrests have been
reported by opposition members, this isn’t good for the country,” said
Mr Barumwete.
The seemingly lopsided political field is seen as giving the ruling party candidate Mr Ndayishimiye a head start in the polls.
Main
opposition leader Mr Rwasa, has raised concerns over increased
intimidation and arrests of his supporters prior to the elections.
“More
than two hundred of them were arrested but this won’t stop us from
winning the elections because the ruling party has failed the country
for 15 years,” said Mr Rwasa.
Thousands of supporters chanted his party slogans as he kicked off his campaigns in his native province of Ngozi.
“The first day of the campaign went well but our supporters were blocked from joining us by security personnel,” he added.
Ethnic divisions have led to decades of civil war ever since Burundi gained independence in 1962, costing thousands of lives.
The
Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) said that the health ministry
will provide political parties and CENI officials with equipment to
measure the body temperatures of supporters during the campaigns and
elections.
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