“Our mandate will end in 2020,” declares Nkurunziza in Bugendana, in Gitega province, at the center of the country. The act committed by Nkurunziza on June 8, 2018, in Bugendana during the promulgation of Burundi’s new Constitution—approved via a referendum on May 17—remains engraved in people’s memories. Consequently, Burundians are making all kinds of comments, some relishing this unexpected turnaround by the head of state, while others emphasize yet another of his many reversals in behavior. Nonetheless, Nkurunziza has spoken, and history will remember his words—whether he fulfills his promise or retracts it as he has done before.
If, by chance, he decides to organize the 2020 elections while once again presenting himself as a candidate, everyone will once again understand that the notion of a “given word” holds meaning only for those who believe in it, while for Nkurunziza, it remains meaningless—just another routine exercise for him. His infamous decision in 2015 already showed that he will stop at nothing when he feels his own interests are threatened.
Faced with his promise, some will say it’s too good to be true. As mentioned earlier, this skepticism is understandable—having been shaped by the contradictions observed in light of the complexity and unpredictability of Nkurunziza’s personality.
To be fair, let us recall the saying “A promise is a debt,” and grant him the benefit of the doubt. However, and without this being any kind of test on our part toward the Burundian leader, the Alliance of Burundians of Canada (ABC) believes that, if Nkurunziza truly intends to keep his promise, he must send reassuring signals to make his commitment concrete—statements alone are not enough. This should take shape as follows:
- Officially apologize to the Burundian people for the usurped 2015 mandate and for the countless victims of this constitutional hold-up, while swearing allegiance to the Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi, which his decision to promulgate a new Constitution effectively buries.
- Present official apologies to grieving families for the massacres of their loved ones and establish a compensation fund, accompanied by an official charter reaffirming the principle of “Never again.”
- Reopen public space by allowing political parties and civil society organizations to operate freely, and by helping Burundian citizens prepare for the 2020 elections in complete freedom.
- Remove judicial and political obstacles preventing some political leaders from returning from exile, thus allowing them to participate in public life.
- Reopen and rehabilitate media outlets burned down in July 2015, and firmly uphold freedom of expression in general and press freedom in particular.
- Restructure the National Intelligence Service so that it becomes a professional body focused on preventing threats to institutions and citizens through intelligence gathering, rather than engaging in torture and administering parallel justice.
- Disarm the Imbonerakure (the ruling party’s youth militia) and reintegrate them into society while prosecuting those responsible for human rights violations.
- Abandon any intention of keeping a foothold in the country’s republican institutions after his current mandate ends, ensuring that the newly elected head of state has complete freedom to restore the country’s socio-political and economic fabric.
- Strengthen the judiciary by making it more professional and independent, with the aim of gradually establishing the rule of law in Burundi.
- Entrust the organization of the 2020 elections to a neutral body that inspires confidence in both the ruling party and the opposition.
The idea of a commission tasked with preparing the groundwork for a successful political and administrative transition, leading to a Burundi reconciled with itself, would be a welcome initiative. Such a decision could emerge from a sincere and inclusive dialogue among all Burundian political stakeholders. In other words, if Nkurunziza’s promise were real, our dream would finally have meaning. Otherwise, those who doubt him—and who are likely the majority—would be justified in their skepticism.
To oversee this initiative and in light of the concerns raised above, the international community must remain vigilant so that the situation in Burundi does not escape its scrutiny and control. It must absolutely change its approach, as so far, none of its statements or initiatives have had any visible impact on the master of Bujumbura. The international community must take decisive and concrete action to genuinely support the often-preached dialogue by rigorously evaluating Nkurunziza’s commitment, rather than merely issuing statements of intent that do not advance peace in Burundi.
Done in Ottawa on June 15, 2018
© Alliance of Burundians of Canada (ABC)