Tensions within army and police increased over pay demands. Minister of Defence Germain Niyoyankana 23 March warned standoff threatened national stability. 12 presidential candidates confirmed by end March ahead of June polls. CNDD-FDD (govt) candidate uncertain. UNDP 4 March confirmed $32m multi-donor fund for electoral process; electoral commission (CENI) earlier estimated required budget at $46m. UNSG 25 March announced appointment of Charles Petrie as BINUB head, filling post after 2-month gap.

2-week voter registration period ended 9 Feb, after 5 day extension, with 3.5m voters registered; exceeded expectations. Opposition alleged grave irregularities. Several arrested for buying voter cards in Bujumbura. Some 20 of 44 registered parties 16 Feb signed electoral code of conduct. Insecurity continued; 1 killed in 6 Feb shootout in Bujumbura army base; FNL office in Rohero ransacked by unidentified youths 9 Feb; 2 opposition MSD offices raided 21, 23 Feb. New UNSR yet to be appointed after incumbent Youssef Mahmoud left country 28 Jan at expiry of mandate and following govt call for replacement.

16 soldiers arrested for allegedly plotting coup, after highly-publicised raid 29-30 Jan; opposition Frodebu party accusedgovtofseekingtofomentchaosaspretextforrepressing opposition. Electoral commission postponed start of 2-week voter registration to 21 Jan. Opposition members continued to allege serious irregularities including selective dissemination of ID cards, required to register, to ruling party members. Local representative of opposition UDP, Sylvere Niyonzima, killed in Mpanda commune 10 Jan by unknown gunmen. Citing routine govt harassment, UDP blamed ruling CNDD-FDD for the killing, denied by CNDD-FDD. Rise in violent altercations between youth wings of CNDD-FDD and other opposition parties, mainly FNL. Govt recognised dissident wing of the FNL, “FNL iragi rya Remi Gahutu’”, as new political party.

Electoral commission 15 Dec announced timetable for 2010 elections, starting with local polls on 21 May; presidential polls set for 28 June. Govt/UNDP 22 Dec began distributing ID cards to 1m people bypassed in earlier efforts; opposition continues to allege govt manipulating process. Anti-corruption watchdog Olucome 28 Dec accused govt of embezzling $1.6m funds from 2009 budget, urged parliament to suspend 2010 budget vote. 12 Dec report of UN DRC Panel of Experts alleged Burundian intelligence service and several high ranking police providing military support to Congo’s FDLR rebels. FM during 10 Dec UNSC debate called for limitation of BINUB’s mandate, removal of UNSR, in apparent response to experts’ report and 3 Dec UNSG report highlighting human rights, governance challenges. Govt 4 Dec reversed controversial Nov ban on civil society group FORSC.

Tensions continued to rise ahead of July 2010 national elections. Several violent skirmishes over month: opposition CNDD activists in Karuzi province kidnapped by Imbonerakure, youth group affiliated with ruling CNDD-FDD, 1 Nov; riots between Imbonerakure and opposition UPD youth wing erupted 22 Nov, Muyinga province. 5 opposition parties at 23 Nov press conference denounced govt’s allegedly selective distribution of identity cards, required for allocating voter cards, to CNDD-FDD members. Dissident faction of FNL led by Jacques Kenese 21 Nov held hundreds-strong demonstration against FNL leader Rwasa; officially authorised, the protest increased speculation govt is fuelling FNL factionalism. Rwasa confirmed as FNL presidential candidate 29 Nov. Civil society group FORSC 9 Nov threatened to disclose list of suspects associated with April killing of anti-corruption commission VP Ernest Manirumva if current inquiry fails to make progress. Govt 23 Nov revoked FORSC’s organisational accreditation.

National Assembly 11 Sept adopted new electoral code by vote of 98 to 1, marking step forward in election process. Followed govt-opposition compromise: govt conceded to demands to hold communal elections prior to presidential polls, but retained controversial multiple ballot system. Electoral commission 3 Sept announced elections to cost $43m, 83% expected to come from donors. Further signs of dissent within ex-rebel FNL: 2 senior leaders expelled from party late Aug, 15 Sept accused Rwasa of dictatorial drift.

Alex Sinduhije, Leader of opposition MSD party registered in July, briefly put under house arrest before appearing in court 4 times over month on libel charges. Controversy continued over draft electoral law, with opposition claiming it favours ruling CNDD-FDD. Rwandan and Burundian officials reported FDLR militia fleeing Kimia II operation in DRC crossed into Burundi 19 Aug; numbers unclear.

President Nkurunziza 5 June nominated senior FNL officials to administration, including former FNL head Agathon Rwasa as head of social security institute. Former rebel group MSD recognised as 43rd political party 8 June. UNSC 9 June commended progress on peace, supported UNSG’s proposal to shift UN mission (BINUB) focus to political dialogue, elections.

Main opposition FRODEBU 5 May accused ruling CNDD-FDD of stepping up intimidation ahead of 2010 elections, alleged govt forming new militia, re-arming ex- fighters, conducted assassinations; denied by govt. Regional Initiative for Burundi, chaired by Ugandan President Museveni, late month established Partnership for Peace to monitor peace process ahead of 2010 elections. Ministry of Justice 13 May ordered release of 203 FNL political prisoners; 50 released by month end. Senate approved nomination of 2 ambassadors, 2 provincial governors from FNL.