In the previous legislature, the Assembly included representatives from CNDD-FDD, CNL, and UPRONA. According to the law governing parliamentary operations, the bureau is required to consist of three members from different political parties.
However, on July 29, 2025, as lawmakers convened to vote on a revised internal parliamentary regulation, disagreement emerged over the provision mandating that the bureau be composed of a President and two Vice Presidents from different parties. Some MPs argued that this requirement no longer applied in a one-party legislature and could be misleading.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, proposed replacing the phrase 'must be composed' with 'may be composed' of members from different political parties, citing the current reality in which CNDD-FDD holds all the seats.
'You could say, 'may be from multiple parties,' but let's not enforce that multi-party requirement outright. If we do, won't outsiders claim, 'We told you so'?' Ndabirabe remarked.
MP Bikebako Gerard warned that the term 'may' could also introduce ambiguity and instead suggested removing the entire clause referencing multi-party composition altogether.
'The word 'may' might cause more confusion than simply removing the phrase 'must include multiple parties,' especially since future assemblies might operate under different political circumstances. If, for instance, the law remains the same, but only CNDD-FDD is represented, where would we find other parties to meet the requirement?' he said.
MP Zache Misago argued that criticism about a single-party parliament was to be expected but reflected the will of the people.
'Outsiders will keep saying this is a one-party legislature, and we should be ready for thatâ€"because it's what the citizens chose.'
MP Rédempteur Gahitira pointed out that although CNDD-FDD holds 108 out of 111 seats, the remaining three belong to representatives of the Batwa ethnic group, some of whom may be affiliated with other political parties such as CNL or UPRONA. He suggested that the Batwa MPs could satisfy the legal requirement for political diversity in the bureau.
'Today, we have 111 members in the National Assemblyâ€"108 from CNDD-FDD and three Batwa. Among the Batwa, one might be from CNL, another from UPRONA. Yet, we insist this is a one-party parliament? How does that add up?' he asked.
However, MP Emmanuel Ndorimana rejected Gahitira's argument, clarifying that the Batwa representatives were not elected to represent political parties but their ethnic group. Therefore, he said, they should not be counted toward political diversity in the bureau.
'Listening to this discussion, one might think we're afraid of being called a one-party parliament. But even if that's said, it's the result of the people's choice. The three Batwa MPs were not officially elected under any party banner, so we cannot assume their affiliation,' Ndorimana stated.
After nearly four hours of debate, lawmakers agreed to amend the provision, replacing 'must be composed' with 'may be composed' of members from different political parties. The change legally accommodates the current single-party scenario without violating the existing Constitution.
On July 31, 2025, following the amended law, Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe was re-elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Fabrice Nkurunziza was elected First Deputy Speaker, and Boussessia Nkezimana was elected Second Deputy Speaker.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/burundi-cndd-fdd-s-dominance-sparks-heated-debate-in-parliament
