One per cent out of eight million of Burundian People is formed of the Batwa Community. With Burundi integration into EAC, they are becoming more and more visible in local and regional institutions, even though their situation needs to be improved.
<doc7669|left>According to a recent survey conducted in 2007 all over the country, the number of Batwa in Burundi is 780,021 people. As indicated by Hon. Liberate Nicayenzi, the Chairwoman and Official Representative of UNIPROBA the association of “Let’s Unite for the Promotion of Batwa” (Unissons pour la Promotion des Batwa), long ago, the Batwa ethnic group was despised. “The Burundian Society is composed of three ethnic groups, Hutus are more represented (60%) than Tutsis (40%) according to the constitution whereas Batwas’ representation is too low,” mentions Nicayenzi.
She praises the mentality changes because the Batwa ethnic group now attend school, have where to cultivate and build houses. “Thanks to many sensitization campaigns led by UNIPROBA in partnership with some associations and religious confessions, Batwa have currently understood the importance of sending their children to School and participation in different activities for their promotion,” says Nicayenzi.
The Deputy Regional Coordinator of the Network of Indigenous and Local People for Central Africa Ecosystems, Hon. Nicayenzi indicates that since Burundi integration into the EAC, the Batwa Community is now represented in EALA. “Thanks to Burundi policy evolution, the Constitution allows us to have three senators and three parliamentarians,” clarifies the Senator. The Chairwoman of REFACOF “The Network of African Women for the Community Management of Forests” (Réseau des femmes Africaine pour la Gestion Communautaire des Forets) recalls that Burundi is the first country having an EALA MP from Batwa community since its second mandate: “Rwanda and Kenya have only indigenous Senators, other member states do not have pygmy representatives in their different institutions,” she indicates.
“As the Regional Indigenous People live in harmony, we take part in different types of regional workshops and trainings organized inside the community. Those from EAC partner states always ask us how we have done to be represented at this level,” adds Nicayenzi.
Comparing to other Member States, the Senator points out that Burundi is more advanced from political, economical and educational points of view.
“In the Constitution, the family code and communal law allow us to take part in different institutions and fight discrimination inside the community,” thanks Hon. Nicayenzi.
“It’s high time we woke up”
According to the Senator, even though Batwa parents have understood the importance to send their children to school, more sensitization programs are needed to fight against ignorance and illiteracy.
However, Hon. Nicayenzi mentions that children give up studying easily.
“Poverty, starvation and ignorance are the main problems which prevent them from continuing higher studies,” regrets Nicayenzi.
So, Hon. Nicayenzi states that sensitizing Batwa should be increased in the community to face the challenge. “As other people, indigenous people need to know that it is their must to contribute in the development of the community. Those who represent others in different EAC institutions should plead for the existence of their activities. And it’s time for EAC indigenous people to wake up and contribute in their development,” points out Hon. Liberate Nicayenzi.
