Rhetoric versus reality: Burundi's leader feted by the churches in Northern Ireland just weeks after violent attacks on political opposition at home
The Rev Trevor Stevenson, of Irish-based charity Fields of Life, which invited the President Nkurunziza to Northern Ireland, believes this is an opportunity to discuss reconciliation progress in both countries. His visit is a symbol of how far the political process has moved forward. “We are thrilled to have President Nkurunziza here as a guest of Fields of Life. The strong message that he hopes to convey is that through the word of God, forgiveness can be found in the bleakest of times,” -Belfast Newsletter, 5 April 2008
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/President-briefs-churchleaders-on-peace.3951147.jp
The attacks on the politicians’ homes took place almost simultaneously on March 8, 2008, suggesting they were a coordinated effort to intimidate the political opposition to the ruling party... Several opposition politicians have been threatened and targeted for violence during the last 18 months.... Five parliamentarians from the opposition party Front for Democracy in Burundi (Front pour la Démocratie au Burundi, Frodebu) and from a dissident wing of the CNDD-FDD, including Mpawenayo, were targeted in a set of grenade attacks in August 2007 that injured several bystanders. Pancrace Cimpaye, Frodebu spokesperson, was detained after suggesting the ruling party bore responsibility for the August attacks; after being released, he briefly left the country. In February 2008, a local Frodebu official was killed, while another was seriously injured in a grenade attack which killed his wife and child.... Increasing insecurity in Burundi spurred 46 opposition parliamentarians to write to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on February 22 to request international protection. They accused the ruling party of “persecution, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial executions, and assassination” of its opponents. The four targets of the March 8 attacks had all signed the letter. -Human Rights Watch, 12 March 2008
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/03/12/burund18269.htm
Burundi, human rights, Current Affairs, Politics, Africa
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/President-briefs-churchleaders-on-peace.3951147.jp
The attacks on the politicians’ homes took place almost simultaneously on March 8, 2008, suggesting they were a coordinated effort to intimidate the political opposition to the ruling party... Several opposition politicians have been threatened and targeted for violence during the last 18 months.... Five parliamentarians from the opposition party Front for Democracy in Burundi (Front pour la Démocratie au Burundi, Frodebu) and from a dissident wing of the CNDD-FDD, including Mpawenayo, were targeted in a set of grenade attacks in August 2007 that injured several bystanders. Pancrace Cimpaye, Frodebu spokesperson, was detained after suggesting the ruling party bore responsibility for the August attacks; after being released, he briefly left the country. In February 2008, a local Frodebu official was killed, while another was seriously injured in a grenade attack which killed his wife and child.... Increasing insecurity in Burundi spurred 46 opposition parliamentarians to write to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on February 22 to request international protection. They accused the ruling party of “persecution, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial executions, and assassination” of its opponents. The four targets of the March 8 attacks had all signed the letter. -Human Rights Watch, 12 March 2008
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/03/12/burund18269.htm
Burundi, human rights, Current Affairs, Politics, Africa
posted by R | 3:58 AM
2 Comments:
The rule of violence,intimidation and brutality have always been the tools of Politics in Burundi.I insist to say that this has not only started from the time Burundi embraced the concept of Democracy, it goes back to the 1970's.The international Community knew about all that was happening.But instead,they choose to honour and give privileges to the very individuals who have killed, stolen from the Country.Justice in Burundi,DRC,Rwanda,Uganda,Sudan and in Africa as a whole, will only be granted by the efforts of the African People who care about the well being of all citizens of Africa as they are the ones to suffer.
Some Years ago, I met the Current President Pierre Nkurunziza,when He was the Minister of State and Good Governance.Mr Pierre Nkurunziza had come to address the UK Parliamentary Group on the Great Lakes of Africa.My first impression about him, I felt confident that he was the Leader my Country Burundi needed.My dream and hope has always been that the Nation be led by Orphans of the number of tragedies lived from the time it got independence.Mr Pierre Nkurunziza had lost his Father in the repression of 1972, he lost his sibblings during ethnic killings.He himself escaped a trap of assassination until he had no choice but to join the Hutu Rebel Movement CNDD-FDD.However,I am disappointed that no change has been given to a Country that suffered Genocide, Dictatorship rule.This is an appeal to President Pierre Nkurunziza to stop the violence.Many Burundians have lost their loved ones, many feel terrrorised by increasing crimes.The responsability of a Leader is not to rule by terror and violence, a true Leader acts as a Father of the Nation, he has no preferences over his Children, he provides for them, he reconciles them all, he protects them all.
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