Burundi: radio silence encourages political violence

Burundi: radio silence leaves room for political violence

The President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, took office in August, 20 for a 3° mandate, despite the controversy it has generated a profound socio-political crisis and violence. No foreign leader was present in this ceremony of investiture under high tension. The ambassadors of European Union countries and the United States were absent and represented by low-ranking diplomats.

The Egypt, China, South Africa and Russia sent representatives. The Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos, was the first head of State to congratulate Pierre Nkurunziza.

A group of opposition in Burundi), asked for the resignation of President Pierre Nkurunziza before August 26, with a reprimand. The National Coalition for the respect of the Arusha agreements for peace and Reconciliation (CNARED) released a statement on Tuesday, asking the President to resign within a week, noting that he should recognise the personal responsibility of the direction of the nation toward a bloodbath.

Léonard Nyangoma (CNARED) calls Nkurunziza to resign within a week to avoid the #Burundi a pic.twitter.com/2k8lF38sJD carnage

Accept the Arusha Agreement, which ended the civil war in the country

The violence erupted in Burundi, a small country in Central East Africa, last April, when the President Pierre Nkurunziza launched the successful challenge, but controversial, to stay for a third term in power, despite weeks of protests and a coup d ' état failed. The main independent radio stations are closed since then. About 100 people died in violence unleashed during the election protests. There was an attempted coup d'etat, the population is fleeing to neighbouring countries. The murder of two figures of the nation and the attempted murder of another, shook society. The intimidation the protesters and opponents are aumentarpor groups loyal to the ruling party is a rise. There are many held without trial â€" the journalist Ezra Ndikumana was tortured after being arrested when he was doing a story.

By day there is a quiet uncomfortable night echoes the gunshots in Bujumbura.

#Burundi: #UNSG Ban condemns assassination of army officer amid ‘troubling’ political violence http://t.co/B2XT8wldYE pic.twitter.com/U3Z0hYsPU0

Some observers describe the Burundi as being on the verge of the abyss, but others claim that there is still a chance to avoid the worst.

* April 26 * the ruling party (CNDD-FDD) declares Nkurunziza as a candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for the end of June.

* 1° of may * an attack with a hand grenade kills three people in Bujumburu. The humanitarian NGOs on the ground reported the beating and detention of people

* May 13 * Godefroid Niyombare tries to perform a coup d ' état, while Nkurunziza does, in Tanzania, an emergency meeting on the situation in the country.

* May * 15 the attempted coup failed after General Niyombare accept surrender to Government forces.

* July 21 * the presidential elections are held without the participation of the opposition and of international criticism. The African Union and the UN does not send observers, but claim that the elections were neither free nor fair.

* August * 2 general Adolphe Nshimirimana, secret services Chief and Chief of staff of the armed forces, counselor to the President, is assassinated when a rocket hits the car in which followed.

* August * 3 Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a well-known human rights activist, is shot and seriously wounded.

* August * 15 General Jean Bikomagu, former Chief of staff of Burundi killed in Bujumbura

To understand the current situation, it is important to look at the developments.

The unrest began as a result of the decision of its President, Pierre Nkurunziza, to run for President with a third term. The opposition faced the announcement as a direct affront to the Arusha Accords, which stipulate that a President can only apply to two terms at most.

The Constitutional Court backed the argument of Nkurunziza, that his first term didn't count because he was elected by deputies and not by popular vote.

Many do not agree. The opposition argued that the decision placed in the Arusha peace agreement, which ended the civil war in 2005. The protests quickly turned violent. The elections were held, but considered "neither free nor fair" by the United Nations and the African Union.

Also raise questions about the potential for intimidation of the public. Human Rights Watch interviewed many people who suffered arbitrary arrests and torture. In a recent statement, reported that the Government has turned the justice system in a weapon against the opposition. Require the authorities to release all the detainees against whom there is no evidence of criminal activity, and ask that the judiciary give assurances can function independently and that human rights violations can be investigated without fear.

As tensions increase, thousands of people fled from Burundi to neighbouring countries.

-There is a climate of fear and provocation that prompted people to flee as early as March. Already account for 200000 refugees from Burundi.

With an aborted coup d ' état, the violence seemed timely to the assassination of general Adolphe Nshimirimana. Known as the right-hand man of President Nkurunziza. The next day, a prominent human rights activist Pierre Claver Mbonimpa and opponent of Nkurunziza was shot, but survived an assassination attempt, which provoked the reaction of the UN:

War is never inevitable. There are different ways to avoid disaster in Burundi. A suggestion is to start over private radio emissions.

The rumors desendreados in Burundi represent a serious danger to stability, says Schwartz:

Volatile weekend in Burundi reinforces urgent need for comprehensive political dialogue under ECA leadership to resume immediately.

Another route is the East African Community to encourage dialogue between the opposition and the Government.

However, it can be tricky to EAC-Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. the conviction of the third term of Nkurunziza in power because other members are in the same situation. In Rwanda, Paul Kagame, is trying to make a third term, too controversial. Also the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni changed the Constitution to run for a third term in 2006 (came to power with a military coup in 1986 and was democratically elected in 1996).

#EACTBT #EAC co-operation was first formalised in 1948, providing a customs union, common external tariff & currency pic.twitter.com/Aa522ttrk7

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