Burundi democracy the aftermath and the fragility

In the first part of this inside story we talked about the ceasefire and commitment of the cease fire documents signing Do you think recent attacks allegedly by Rwasa Agathon forces of national liberation (FNL) will affect the A tenuous peace reached in 2005? And Finally, what is the stand the head of the Government of The CNDD-FDD Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza on NL rebels who did

not signed a cease-fire in 2005?

 

According to Evelyn the fragility of the peace is often threatened by the rampant rebels who have threatened the peace of the people of the country. She said in a one to one interview “I think the FNL only now does not have sufficient force to cause a release any BUT very sure that yes, the fragility of peace is already assigned!”, she adds, “I know not if you live here in Burundi but I'd say that there are no security.  People are killed from day to day especially those belonging to opposition political parties by whom it is said by the police, I can not confirm! I'm afraid. This leads to say that the government is afraid and its not ready to humble themselves to negotiate.”

 

In 2005 The special representative of the UN Secretary-General to Burundi, Carolyn McAskie’s, appealed to the Forces Nationales de liberation (FNL), the only rebel group that is still fighting, to respect the peace process as they undergo their activities then, she Praised the calm prevailing across the country and urged Burundi's new national army to take into account the FNL's attitude and to refrain from any act that could endanger civilians.

 

Despite McAskie's call for peace, killings persisted and property looted in attributed to the FNL. According to Evelyn “may be as a foreigner you can not understand the internal problems of Burundi, here there is no democracy, there is no right to expression so you say anything against the government, you are called a terrorist.”

 

She adds that “why most of the politicians, members of opposition political parties are in exile for fear of being imprisoned or killed. Recently (2012) Alexis Sinduhije Party chairman called MSD (opposition) was arrested at the airport in Tanzania, the grounds for his arrest remains unknown. You see it's dangerous.”

 

Burundi is now marking 51 years of independence and the main question that goes in everyone’s mind will there be a lasting democratic space in the country that experienced 38 years of ethnic civil wars?

In 2006 the government and the FNL (National Liberation Forces) agreed a ceasefire but it broke down after the government rejected rebel demands for power-sharing. In September 2006, the last remaining rebel group in Burundi, the PALIPEHUTU-FNL, signed a peace agreement.

 

Implementation obstacles and spurts of violence from the group slowed the process. In May 2008, the leaders of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL returned to Burundi to address the impasse and negotiate with the Government of Burundi. The two entities agreed upon a durable solution on December 4, 2008. In 2009, the PALIPEHUTU-FNL disarmed and demobilized in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Also in 2009, the FNL agreed to drop its ethnic derivative, “Palipehutu,” and the government agreed to integrate the FNL into the Burundian political system by allowing it to register and act as a full-fledged political party.

 

The group later released a statement in 2006 September saying, "We ask the international community to tell FNL leader Agathon Rwasa that now is time to go into talks and that Burundi needs this.”

 

Later in 2008 FNL leader Agathon Rwasa, who has not travelled to Burundi, said he was committed to peace But he warned that his group could not be defeated militarily. FNL leaders in exile in Tanzania wanted full immunity from prosecution and a share of government jobs. But that would require constitutional changes which the government - wracked by a parliamentary crisis - does not have the power to deliver. Questions about the status Progress of process Disarmament has started in 2005 by United Nations. Do you of the former head rebellious today President is fully committed to the nationalization of Burundi?

 

Evelyn said “On disarmament I think it failed because people continue to kill or steal at gunpoint which proves that the weapons still exist among the people. In my opinion, I see that the current president who was formerly rebel is not at all committed to the nationalization of the country because it does not take any important decision it was his party that decides everything here. So it looks like it does not work for the good of his country but for the good of his party. This is a shame too well.”

 

Do you think it could facilitating the strengthening of the rebel group, the liberation forces National FNL led by Rwasa? Do you think Buyoya is the legacy of slowly erased by the criminality democratic CNDD-FDD?

 

According to Evelyn “truth-reconciliation commission has so far not been put into execution, they say that they about to study the procedures of his institution. “

 

She adds ‘the Nkurunziza government can drag its feet regarding the implementation of said commission by what he must not forget that they are involved as a former ex-rebel.”

Burundi is facing the most formative years of its newly found democracy and little is told about the country to the rest of the world. As I sum up the story a lot has been said yet nothing is so far is being implemented. But the future of the people of Burundi is entirely on their hands not the hands of the president. I sent a message of unity and love amongst you as you mark 51 years of nationhood. Started with kingdom but now you are a republic after having several republics under military rule. The final part of this story shall visit the future and economic empowerment of the people and the nation of Burundi.