Burundi

The fallout from President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial third term has plunged the country into a spiral of political violence and widespread human rights abuses. Security forces and members of the youth wing of the ruling party, the Imbonerakure, target opponents and perceived opponents who they kill, rape, torture, forcibly disappear, or ill-treat. Unknown assailants have also attacked or killed senior government officials. The ruling party has banned the most prominent Burundian human rights organizations and allowed the Imbonerakure to control illegal roadblocks and extort money from businesses and civilians. The justice system is deeply manipulated by the ruling party, and impunity is widespread.