La problématique de la limitation des mandats présidentiels en Afrique des grands lacs : le cas du Burundi de 2015-2024

Abstract

Presidential term limits are a fundamental principle of democracy, aimed at preventing the concentration of power in the hands of a single person or political party and ensuring the rotation of leaders. However, in the Great Lakes region, this principle is often marred by its Achilles' heel, as demonstrated by the case of Burundi in 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza, aided by a faction of the CNDD-FDD, attempted to run for a third term. The process of presidential term limits is rooted in the rule of law. However, if the rule of force prevails over the rule of law, weak institutions result. Therefore, term limits require strong leaders to build strong institutions. While the rule governing term limits existed in the constitution and the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, it lacked real force. The prevailing logic was neo-patrimonialism and monocentric presidentialism, which constituted the failure of presidential term limits. This was because the Head of State, aided by his party, treated the state as his private property. To understand this problem, sociohistorical theories of politics and constitutional theories were of great importance to us. Methodologically, we opted for a hermeneutic approach (reading works, statements, etc.), as well as a qualitative approach (a semi-structured survey conducted with representatives of political parties, civil society, and members of parliament). All these methods played a role in the development of this thesis. Pierre Nkurunziza's third term, supported by the CNDD-FDD party, was beneficial to those whose interests it protected, including himself, given its success. Despite its success, the opposition, civil society organizations, and some powers, including the international community, have condemned the CNDD-FDD for violating the law. This use of force has triggered a crisis that has led to murders and the exile of the country's children. This disregard for term limits has been facilitated by the vulnerability of democracy. The law has yielded to the interests of those in power. After analyzing various data and information from different informants, it is clear that Burundi has been characterized by conflict and political violence since its independence. This reinforces neo-patrimonialism and a one-sided presidential system, leading the ruling parties to view the state as a source of revenue for the ruling party.