Senate of Burundi (2020)

The 2020 Senate of Burundi was indirectly elected in 2020 for a five-year term.

Background
Burundi has suffered from political instability since before 2015, with many Burundians leaving the country. A new constitution was adopted after a referendum held in May 2018. When President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would not seek a fourth term, the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Front for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party chose the retired army general Evariste Ndayishimiye as their candidate.

The United Nations Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said the election campaign that officlally started in April 2020 was "characterized by an increase in political intolerance and numerous acts of violence and human rights violations". The elections for the National Assembly were held on 20 May 2020. The government did not allow observers from the United Nations and the African Union to the monitor these elections, claiming they were too close to the opposition. The CNDD-FDD took 72 of the 100 seats up for election, while the National Congress for Liberty (CNL) led by Agathon Rwasa took 27 seats.

Election
The indirect election of 36 senators (two from each province) took place on 20 July 2020. The National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) won 34 seats, or 94.4%. The Union for National Progress (UPRONA) and the National Congress for Liberty (CNL) each won one seat. 21 men were elected and 15 women. Three Twa were coopted as senators, including one woman, bring the total up to 39. The speaker of the Senate, elected on 25 August 2020, was Emmanuel Sinzohagera (b. 24 March 1974) of the CNDD-FDD.

Members
Members of the 2020 senate were: