Burundians are expected to go to the polls to elect a new president on 20 May 2020. Many see the upcoming presidential election as a particularly significant moment in light of both the crisis that was sparked by the previous election in 2015 and the fact that the poll guarantees a change of leadership. However, the political context is not promising. A climate of fear prevails in the country and serious human rights violations and abuses continue unabated. In addition to their existing challenges, Burundians must now also contend with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
