The National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (NCDD-FDD) is the most significant rebel group in Burundi. The NCDD is the political wing of the organization, while the FDD is the military wing. It was founded in 1994, a year after the assassination of Hutu President Melchior Ndadaye, the political wing was dominated by Hutu intellectuals from the southern region of Bururi. However, the fighting wing was composed of troops drawn from throughout the country, which led to a split in the group in 2001.

The rebel group is often referred to simply as Forces for the Defense of Democracy ('FDD). It is also commonly referred to by its original French title, Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie-Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie (CNDD-FDD).

In 2001, the CNDD-FDD consisted of about 15,000 rebels led by Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye. However a schism in October 2001 led to the overthrow of Ndayikengurukiye by Peter Nkurunziza. The Nkurunziza-led faction, consisting of 10,000 to 12,000, troops signed a ceasefire with the government in December 2002, but continued fighting.

The faction led by Ndayikengurukiye is now the lesser of the two with about 5,000 fighters. It also signed a ceasefire with the government in October 2002 to which it has roughly held.