BURUNDI IN PERSPECTIVE: PROMISES TO KEEP

“Burundi is a unitary republic, independent and sovereign, secular and democratic.  Its principle is government of the people, by the people and for the people.” [Article 1 (1-2) Constitution of the Republic of Burundi]

 In the middle of 2009, Burundi appeared to be heading on the path toward peace after more than a decade of armed conflict.  It is a known fact that the National Liberation Forces (NLF) as an opposition political party plays a unique role in Burundi’s peace developments, democracy and curtailing out of armed conflict.

Burundi had a democratic election in 2010, making Mr. Nkurunziza Pierre as President for the second term after serving the first term for 5 years through parliamentary nomination and approval in 2005.  The Burundi constitution mandates the President to hold office for a term of five (5) years and shall not be elected to hold office for more than two terms.

Democracy today have transcend beyond the bigoted and self-seeking agenda of most African leaders, the youth, civil societies, social and political activists have wide awaken to the call to bring justice to the continent.

President Nkurunziza Pierre’s second term expires 2015, and in April this year the current President on the ticket of the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) which is the ruling party announced his intentions to stand for the third term which is contrary to the spirit and tenet of the constitution and the will of the majority of Burundians.

Gradually, the ruling party (CNDD-FDD) is introducing intimidations which sort to weaken the opposition parties, the local media and the civil societies.  The opposition parties and civil societies have recently been very potent in the wake of the government abusing the laws of the land.  Democracy today have transcend beyond the bigoted and self-seeking agenda of most African leaders, the youth, civil societies, social and political activists have wide awaken to the call to bring justice to the continent.  Naturally, most people of Burundi protested vehemently against the President who is seeking to go for the third term.

The number one gentleman of the country, which is the President disregard and undermined the principle of government of the people, by the people and for the people in Article 6 of Burundi’s constitution which currently the President Nkurunziza Pierre have been perceived to be subverting the will of the people.

The President and for that matter, the ruling party (CNDD-FDD) is exclusively responsible for violence in Bujumbura, killing three people and many other people had various degree of injuries due to unprofessional handling and control of protestants by the police personnel. In totality, at least 19 people have been killed so far and more than 50,000 people have fled Burundi to neighbouring states seeking safety.

There is ample and incontrovertible evidence of the youth wing (IMBONERAKURE) of the ruling party to have killed two citizens and one police personnel died accidently.

The youth of Africa have seen and experience these horrific civil strives in our continent because of the ambitions of our leaders to clinch to power by fair or foul means at the expense of good governance system-Democracy.

In every society or country when those expected to uphold and defend the statutory rules and regulations are breaking them with impunity, the obvious reaction will not be pleasant initially in the case of Burundi at best and calamitous at worse when the President hold unto his evil ambitions.

Throughout the world’s history, civil disobedience stems from the authorities ineptitude which seeks to frustrate and encourage suppression, breeds intimidations therefore making the masses to have suspicion and mistrust for the ruling class.

Since April this year when President Nkurunziza Pierre made his intentions known to contest for the third term, there had been several protests, demonstrations, match which came with violence bringing the economy of Burundi to its kneels…..Burundi again is catching the headlines in major media in Africa and the world community for the wrong reasons, why Africa!

Some leaders of civil societies groups have been arrested and detained, radio stations have been close down et al, all to frustrate the system.

It is cruel for any government to circumvent the will of the majority of the people and rule of law for personal gain and security.  It is more alarming to see the judiciary, the keeper of the law to be compromised to rule in favour of the third term breaching the constitution which is the highest law of the land.

Today, Burundians have lost confidence in governance system and they will do everything possible to resist oppressors rule and demand fairness, justice and accountability.  The President has breached the constitution and the Arusha accord set to guide the tendencies of government appointees putting themselves above the law.

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The Africa Union (AU) peace effort must not be seen as one that has fallen into a coma but moderately the Union must step in forcefully and articulate their stance on the impending civil war making the Burundi’s constitution and the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement as their terms of reference.

The Africa Union (AU) peace effort must not be seen as one that has fallen into a coma but moderately the Union must step in forcefully and articulate their stance on the impending civil war making the Burundi’s constitution and the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement as their terms of reference.  The Africa leaders must not sit unconcern when one country is perishing.

 When there are hiccups in the development and economic process of a young country like Burundi, then it is wake up call to everyone to mull over this as a threat to our continental political and economic integration.

The African leaders must as a matter of urgency learn to keep the promises made to it general citizenry and the International community for a better, accountable and prosperous continent.

The youth of Africa through the mouthpiece of Young Africa Leaders Forum-Africa (YALF-Africa) want to state categorically without any sheer of doubt that, President Nkurunziza Pierre term of office is ending this year and he cannot contest again as President, therefore he should step aside for democracy and the rule of law.  The forum believes in the development of the continent, hence a stable, peaceful and harmonious environment is strategically and crucially needed for economic and social development agenda.  Our call will not be one of purposeless lamentation but the YALF-Africa will consistently monitor and put enormous pressure and demand on President Nkurunziza Pierre to annul the decision to contest for peace to prevail.

In fine, the Burundian authorities have to seriously furnish rights to freedom of expression and assembly, urging measures to ensure the space necessary for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

                                                                                           

                                                                                           

                                                                                           Written by:

                                                                                           Janvier Nibaruta

                                                                                           YALF National Coordinator, Burundi

                                                                                           and

                                                                                           Richard Obro Yeboah

                                                                                           YALF National Coordinator, Ghana