SUMMARY
The CNDD (National Council for the Defence of Democracy, Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie) was a rebel group active in the intrastate armed conflict against the government of Burundi. The armed wing of the group was formed in December 1993 by prominent Hutu leaders in order to protect the Hutu elite from an expected Tutsi onslaught in the aftermath of the murder of the Hutu president Ndadaye in October of the same year. The group was however then only known as FDD and had no political agenda beyond "self-defence". With the support of prominent members of FRODEBU, the Hutu party that had won the 1993 elections, the political wing (CNDD) was launched in February 1994, under the leadership of Léonard Nyangoma. The movement quickly became one of the most significant rebel groups during the Burundian civil war. The military and political wing split already in 1998, when the FDD Chief of Staff Ndayikengurukiye attempted to oust Nyangoma, claiming that he had mismanaged the party. Very few fighters remained with Nyangoma and the CNDD became a small political movement that was part of the Arusha Peace Process.
On 25 March 1994 representatives of FDD met in Cibitoke and signed a constitutive act. The group immediately became embroiled in armed conflict, with FDD acting as CNDDs armed wing, seeking to force the government to accept the election results of 1993. The CNDD advocated for the restoration of democracy, the protection of Hutu interests, and the establishment of a more inclusive political system. It opposed the Tutsi-dominated military's control over the government and sought to address historical injustices against the Hutu population. The party emphasized the need for constitutional reforms and the reintegration of exiled politicians and refugees.
The group was based in Burundi with strongholds in Bujumbura’s Hutu suburbs (such as Kamenge), Cibitoke, and later in Bubanza and southern provinces along the Dama River. Initially the CNDD established bases in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and western Tanzania and the two countries have been affected by CNDD violence. After the 1998 split, Nyangoma operated largely in exile, with remaining military elements active along the southern Burundian border and from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The CNDD's membership primarily consisted of Hutu intellectuals and former members of FRODEBU. The armed wing, FDD, attracted fighters from various regions of Burundi, including disaffected soldiers and youth mobilized by the political crisis. In 1995, the CNDD reportedly had up to 3000 armed combatants. Around 400 soldiers followed CNDD after its split with CNDD-FDD.
Until 1998 the CNDD maintained a dual structure comprising a political wing led by Nyangoma and a military wing under the command of Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye. The political wing handled diplomatic engagements and participated in peace negotiations, while the military wing conducted armed operations against government forces.
The FDD, as the armed wing of the CNDD, engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Burundian army. Operating from bases in neighboring countries and within Burundi, the FDD conducted attacks on military installations and convoys. The group utilized small arms and light weapons, relying on mobility and knowledge of the terrain. The CNDD's military capabilities were significant during the mid-1990s but diminished following the internal split when CNDD only maintained some armed elements along the southern border.
Léonard Nyangoma was the founder and political leader of the CNDD. As a former Minister of the Interior, Nyangoma was instrumental in establishing the party's political agenda. Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye was the commander of the FDD, the CNDD's armed wing until his departure from the CNDD in 1998 to form the CNDD-FDD. Major Antoine Mbarushimana (alias Mbawa)commanded the remaining CNDD fighters in southern Burundi along the Dama River following the split.
The CNDD participated in various peace initiatives, including negotiations facilitated by the Community of Sant'Egidio and the Arusha Peace Process. Despite internal challenges, the party maintained a presence in political dialogues aimed at resolving the Burundian conflict.
Initially, the CNDD received support from FRODEBU members and collaborated with other Hutu rebel groups such as PALIPEHUTU and Frolina. However, these alliances were often short-lived due to strategic disagreements. In 1998, internal disputes led to the formation of the CNDD-FDD under Ndayikengurukiye. This new faction eventually became the dominant rebel group and later transitioned into a political party that won national elections.
The CNDD operated from bases in neighboring countries DR Congo (Zaire) where it collaborated with ex-FAR, Interahamwe. The group was supported by the government of Zaire.
CNDD has been involved in the intrastate, non-state and one-sided categories of UCDP organised violence.
