“The Situation is Critical!”
The political dialogue aimed at easing tensions in Burundi has completely failed; its inclusivity was severely lacking due to the lack of determination from the East African mediation as well as the intransigence and political unwillingness of the Burundian government. By turning its back on dialogue, the regime is now focused on a highly dangerous referendum scheduled for May 17, 2018, for which the campaign is already underway. The process has been marred by blatant irregularities such as the forced enrollment of voters and a formal ban (a “red line” drawn by the president) on voting against the referendum. Even more concerning, the referendum aims to permanently erase the key achievements of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Burundi—achievements that had secured a decade of relative peace.
It must be clearly stated that the main motivations behind the constitutional changes that this referendum seeks to validate are purely political calculations serving the interests of a select group (the ruling power and its allies) rather than the population as a whole. Even Burundi’s Catholic bishops have expressed their conviction that the proposed constitutional revision does not comply with Article 299 of the Constitution, which states that “the revision of the Constitution cannot be considered if it undermines national unity, the cohesion of the Burundian people, or reconciliation.” (See the Iwacu article published on May 3, 2018, titled “The Time Was Not Right to Amend the Constitution.”)
According to close observers, the current president is determined to remain in power until 2034, with the possibility of staying for life not being ruled out. And yet, the Nkurunziza regime, which has failed to demonstrate good governance, unite and reconcile its citizens, or develop the country, now seeks to impose its legitimacy through force and terror. Hate speech has become the daily reality for Burundians, who are left to fend for themselves, terrorized by a regime that sees enemies everywhere—or manufactures them to compensate for its lack of legitimacy. The government now relies solely on force to suppress any dissenting thoughts, discussions, or expressions. Anyone considered to have differing views is sidelined, marginalized, or even physically eliminated. Public freedoms are systematically violated, with only those affiliated with the ruling party, CNDD-FDD, allowed to enjoy them.
Regarding the financing of the referendum process, the Nkurunziza regime can no longer rely on its traditional donors, nor can it convince the international community, which it has alienated through its self-isolating actions. The government has therefore turned to bleeding its own population dry, even as the socio-economic situation reaches a dire state, with the social and economic fabric progressively crumbling due to a lack of vision and responsible governance.
Another devastating blow for Burundian citizens—who are far from reaching the end of their suffering—was the adoption, on April 18, 2018, by the National Assembly, of a bill allowing nighttime searches and raids without a warrant. This measure is expected to lead to even more blatant and systematic human rights violations in Burundi. The population fears that such a law will be used as a pretext to eliminate political opponents, a reflex reminiscent of the 2015 crisis, whose aftershocks are still fresh in people’s minds.
One bright spot in this otherwise grim picture is that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is aware of these crimes and officially announced on October 25, 2017, that it was opening an investigation into crimes committed in Burundi since April 26, 2015. It is important to note, however, that (as yet another example of bad faith and political maneuvering) Burundi had already withdrawn from the ICC on October 27, 2016, and has refused to cooperate with the court in any way.
To make matters worse, Burundi risks becoming the fuse that could ignite the entire sub-region. It is deeply concerning that while other nations are expanding and diversifying their partnerships for development, the Nkurunziza regime continues to multiply its enemies—particularly through verbal aggression against other countries. The most notable example of this hostility is towards Rwanda, Burundi’s neighboring and brotherly country, which is also a member of the East African Community (EAC).
Given the failure of diplomatic efforts and the Burundian government’s clear unwillingness to halt severe human rights violations, the Alliance of Burundians in Canada (ABC) calls on the international community to:
- Protect, before it is too late, the Arusha Peace Agreement, which is the foundation of lasting peace in Burundi;
- Take all necessary measures to protect Burundian civilians, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, including the Responsibility to Protect (R2P);
- Impose an arms embargo to prevent the illegal and dangerous distribution of firearms to a government-backed militia that spreads terror and destruction.
The ABC also calls on the Burundian people to remain united and in solidarity, despite the actions of a regime determined to weaken national unity. They must always remember that governments come and go, but Burundi, as an ancient nation, will endure through time and free itself from those who seek to destroy it.
Done in Ottawa, May 7, 2018
© The Alliance of Burundians in Canada, ABC