second part
Our organization is continuing its series of investigations into the functioning of Burundi’s National Assembly and the governance practices that allegedly characterize the institution.
In our first publication, released on 30 June 2026, we revealed that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Gélase Daniel NDABIRABE, had recruited his son, HANGAMA God-Aël Jemy, who was then a secondary school student, before appointing him as head of his personal logistics office. According to the information gathered by our organization, the appointment drew widespread criticism but remained in place.
This second instalment examines the steps Gélase Daniel NDABIRABE allegedly took to secure senior positions for his former wife, NIYONKURU Joy.
An Attempt to Appoint His Former Wife within the National Assembly
According to information gathered by our organization, NIYONKURU Joy, with whom Gélase Daniel NDABIRABE has his first child, currently serves as Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Health.
Our findings indicate that, shortly after the new National Assembly was inaugurated in July 2025, Gélase Daniel NDABIRABE allegedly sought to place several close associates in strategic positions within the institution.
He is alleged to have first attempted to have his former wife appointed as Head of Logistics of the National Assembly. That plan was reportedly abandoned after some of his close associates warned that such an appointment could seriously damage the institution’s credibility.
According to our information, he subsequently secured her appointment as Principal Adviser for Social Affairs. However, that appointment reportedly lasted only a short time after several senior members of the CNDD-FDD allegedly expressed strong reservations, arguing that it could generate significant criticism, including within the ruling party itself.
Efforts That Reportedly Led to Her Appointment at the Ministry of Health
Following these objections, Gélase Daniel NDABIRABE allegedly undertook efforts to ensure that NIYONKURU Joy would be transferred to the Ministry of Health. According to information gathered by our organization, those efforts eventually resulted in her joining the Minister’s Cabinet.
In November 2025, NIYONKURU Joy was appointed Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Health under Presidential Decree No. 100/082 of 11 November 2025, a position she continues to hold.
According to information collected by our organization, these developments have fuelled growing dissatisfaction among several members of Parliament, who reportedly criticize what they describe as highly personalized governance and a pattern of favouring individuals close to the Speaker of the National Assembly for positions of responsibility.
Our organization will continue this series of investigations to shed further light on the management of the National Assembly and other alleged practices within the institution.
Prior to the publication of this investigation, we made several attempts to contact Gélase Daniel NDABIRABE to obtain his response to these allegations. Despite repeated phone calls and a WhatsApp message, which was read, he did not respond to our requests for comment.