Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has reshuffled the communication department within the Presidency, appointing Nancy Ninette Mutoni as the new head of the office and presidential spokesperson.
Mutoni replaces Rosine Guilene Gatoni, who had served in the role for years amid growing criticism that the presidency’s communication strategy had weakened and damaged the public image of President Ndayishimiye.
As part of the changes, retired army officer Floribert Biyereke was appointed deputy spokesperson to the president, replacing Sébastien Ntahongendera.
Ntahongendera was reassigned as an advisor within the presidency’s communication office, while the presidential decree did not specify any new responsibilities for Rosine Gatoni.
The appointments are widely viewed as part of broader political preparations for Burundi’s 2027 elections, with analysts suggesting that the ruling CNDD-FDD party is rebuilding a more aggressive and experienced communication team around President Ndayishimiye.
Nancy Ninette Mutoni is no stranger to the ruling party’s inner circles. She previously served as spokesperson for CNDD-FDD during the period when Evariste Ndayishimiye led the party and continued in that role during the early tenure of Révérien Ndikuriyo.
She also formerly managed Rema FM, a radio station frequently accused by critics of targeting and insulting political opponents of the ruling party. More recently, she has been working with Burundi’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR).
Her appointment comes shortly after Evelyne Butoyi was named Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Before Butoyi’s appointment, Mutoni herself had reportedly been considered for the position following the death of journalist Gabby Bugaga.
Both women are veteran media figures who played central roles in promoting Ndayishimiye during the 2020 presidential campaign. Butoyi also previously served as the president’s spokesperson, strengthening her ties to the current administration.
Political observers say Mutoni and Butoyi were part of a small communication team tasked with confronting opposition voices on social media during the controversial third-term period of former President Pierre Nkurunziza. The two are also often described as protégés of influential political communicator Willy Nyamitwe.
Reports from within Burundi’s political circles suggest that both women have tense relations with First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye. However, supporters of the reshuffle argue that their experience in political communication outweighed internal tensions.
Analysts believe few figures within CNDD-FDD possess the same level of expertise as Mutoni and Butoyi when it comes to managing campaign messaging, traditional media operations, and online political mobilization ahead of the 2027 vote.
Still, questions remain about whether the new team can successfully repair President Ndayishimiye’s public image. Critics argue that the presidency’s communication department has struggled for years and that the president’s own unpredictable speaking style often creates controversy.
According to several observers, even when prepared speeches are written for him, Ndayishimiye frequently abandons them to speak spontaneously, at times making remarks that surprise many Burundians coming from a head of state.
While Nancy Ninette Mutoni and Evelyne Butoyi are widely recognized as experienced communication professionals, many believe they are stepping into one of the most difficult political assignments in Burundi’s current political landscape as the country slowly moves toward the 2027 elections.
