Burundi’s minister of Internal Affairs and Public Security Martin Niteretse in a letter dated February 2nd, 2023 suspended anniversary celebrations of the country’s opposition political party National Congress for Liberty (CNL) that was set to be celebrated on February 19th.
“To this end, to prevent any risk of clashes at the place of the ceremonies and on the itineraries of the participants, I have the honor to inform you that the double ceremony announced in your letter N/Ref: 001/CNL/2023 of January 26, 2023 is suspended pending an appropriate outcome to this internal crisis of your Political Party,” part of the letter from Internal Affairs ministry reads.
According to Gitega, it is said that the CNL political party led by Agathon Rwasa has had internal divisions caused by power struggles that has created a rift in the country’s leading opposition hierarchy.
“The Party CNL informs its militants and guests that the activities celebrating the 4th anniversary & exchange of New Year’s greetings 2023 initially planned for this 19/2/2023 have just been suspended by the ministry of Internal Affairs,” CNL party tweeted.
CNL is considered to be the country’s opposition leading party after trailing CNDD-FDD in the 2020 general elections.