Tensions at UPRONA congress as Olivier Nkurunziza secures new term as party leader

UPRONA’s national congress, held on Saturday, August 8 in Bujumbura, was briefly disrupted by members challenging the way the party’s internal elections had been organised. Despite the incident, Olivier Nkurunziza was confirmed for another term as party leader, while Abel Gashatsi was chosen as UPRONA’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The congress of the Union for National Progress (UPRONA) was intended to renew the party’s leadership and prepare it for the political battles ahead. For a few minutes, however, it also brought into the open tensions within one of Burundi’s most historic political parties.

Meeting on Saturday, August 8, at Mugumya, party delegates ultimately confirmed Olivier Nkurunziza at the helm of UPRONA. But the day had begun in an atmosphere of considerable uncertainty.

From early in the morning, messages circulating on social media, particularly WhatsApp, claimed that Nkurunziza had been removed from the party leadership and replaced by Serges Njebarikanuye, who had been heading UPRONA in Buhumuza province. An audio recording attributed to Njebarikanuye, in which he presented himself as Nkurunziza’s successor, was also widely shared on WhatsApp.

It was against this backdrop of confusion that the congress opened.

A few minutes of open dissent

Olivier Nkurunziza, the outgoing party president, spoke first, presenting an account of what had been achieved under his leadership and outlining the party’s priorities for the months ahead.

Prosper Bazombanza, Burundi’s Vice-President and a member of UPRONA, then addressed the gathering as one of the party’s senior figures. He reminded delegates that anyone seeking election to a party position was required to meet the conditions laid down by UPRONA and to have signed the necessary documents.

It was during Bazombanza’s remarks that tensions suddenly rose.

Four party members, including UPRONA’s deputy leader in Bujumbura province, began loudly protesting against what was being said. They argued that the internal elections had been organised without proper respect for the party’s rules.

The disturbance lasted no more than a few minutes, but was enough to interrupt proceedings and prompt the intervention of the police. The four dissenting members were escorted from the venue.

They were subsequently sanctioned by the party and barred from participating in UPRONA activities for five years, after being accused of violating the party’s internal rules.

Olivier Nkurunziza confirmed as leader

The confrontation did not derail the congress. None of the items on the agenda was cancelled, and the meeting continued with the internal elections proceeding as planned.

At the end of the process, Olivier Nkurunziza was confirmed for another term as president of UPRONA.

In his first remarks following his re-election, Nkurunziza stressed the particular responsibility carried by the party, given the role it has played in Burundi’s political history and in governing the country.

Leading UPRONA, he said, requires both caution and a strong sense of responsibility, given the weight and significance of the office.

Nkurunziza also placed party unity at the centre of his renewed mandate. He pledged to do everything possible to bring UPRONA members together, while warning that action would be taken, in accordance with the party’s rules, against anyone seeking to hold the movement back.

The message echoed the theme chosen for the congress: “Unity is the shield of the Badasigana UPRONA party and our country.”

Abel Gashatsi chosen for the 2027 presidential race

Beyond the internal tensions, the congress was also focused on a much larger political deadline: Burundi’s presidential election scheduled for 2027.

Delegates approved the party’s new leadership structures and selected Abel Gashatsi as UPRONA’s candidate for the presidential election.

Founded in the years leading up to independence, UPRONA has occupied a central place in the country’s political history.