Closing Doors?: The Narrowing of Democratic Space in Burundi

In recent years, Burundi has been widely recognized for its vibrant civil society, its active and independent media, and a degree of political pluralism not seen in most of its East and Central African neighbors. Problems remain, including largely unaccountable and abusive security forces, and excessive government restrictions on opposition parties. However, Burundians and international observers had hoped that national and local elections—the country’s first since the end of a nearly 16-year civil war in 2009—would consolidate Burundi’s democratic gains and showcase years of successful investment by the United Nations, regional governments, and donor states in moving Burundi from an era of violence to one of multiparty democracy. This paper considers whether Burundi is becoming a less democratic state.