Burundi’s Supreme Court on Thursday postponed its ruling in the legal dispute between opposition figure Agathon Rwasa and Nestor Girukwishaka over the leadership of the Congress for Freedom (CNL) party, a case that could shape Rwasa’s political future ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The court said its decision would be delivered within 60 days. The ruling is being closely watched as it could determine whether Rwasa, a veteran opposition leader and former presidential candidate, can regain a central role in Burundi’s political landscape.
During the third hearing held in Bujumbura, Rwasa appeared before the judges, while Girukwishaka, recognized by Burundian authorities as the party’s president following an extraordinary CNL congress held in Ngozi in 2023, was absent. His lawyer represented him and asked the court to consider the legal documents already submitted.
The dispute dates back to March 2023, when an extraordinary CNL congress removed Rwasa from the party leadership and appointed Girukwishaka as the new president for a five-year term.
Rwasa rejected the decision, describing the process as illegitimate and accusing authorities of supporting an internal split aimed at weakening one of Burundi’s main opposition forces. The new CNL leadership denied the accusations, saying the leadership change was an internal decision intended to reorganize and strengthen the party.
The legal battle has already affected Rwasa’s political career. In 2025, his candidacy in legislative and local elections was rejected by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), which argued that he remained a member of the CNL while running under another political coalition.
Rwasa, a former Hutu rebel leader, has been one of Burundi’s most prominent opposition figures for decades. He finished second in the 2020 presidential election against President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
The Supreme Court’s decision could determine whether Rwasa can return to the center of Burundi’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Rwandatribune.rw
