Gaston Sindimwo, Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye, and Prime Niyongabo holding a meeting (causerie morale) with the cadets of ISCAM.
“Be aware of unverified information on social media, and don’t listen to radios transmitting misleading information”, said Gaston Sindimwo, first Vice President, at a meeting with cadets who are often targeted with alarming information about their security. He called on the cadets to show unity and solidarity and told them “to turn their backs to those encouraging them to destroy their motherland”.
Sindimwo, accompanied by Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye, the Minister of Defence, and Prime Niyongabo, the Chief of Staff of the Army, visited cadets of the Higher Institute of Military Officers (ISCAM) Tuesday 24 November.
The officials told the cadets to only listen and refer to their superiors for information so as not to fall prey to rumours relayed on social media and radio stations like Inzamba and Humura.
Amidst the present crisis that started last year, a number of candidates of ISCAM have been arrested and others have gone missing. The reasons for their arrests have not always been clear. Army officials claim the arrested young officers were suspected of taking part in activities that threatened national security.
Rights groups, like League ITEKA, which has now been banned by the Burundi government, claimed the only crime the future army officers were guilty of was that they were allegedly against President Nkurunziza’s third term in office. Other sources said the targeted cadets were of Tutsi ethnic background.
In that context, unverified information mentioning names of young officers who were to be arrested were relayed on social media. Those who feared for their security deserted the army. In August alone, the army spokesman, Gaspard Baratuza, said five future officers from ISCAM had deserted the army.
The Defence Minister deplored the cowardice and violation of procedures by cadets who deserted the army. “How can a future member of the defence force flee while your superior, your light, is here and you follow darkness?”, he asked. “Soldiers are not like mere civilians. Those who are fearful are not wanted in the army”, said the first Vice President Gaston Sindimwo.
The Defense Minister advised the young officers to follow examples of bravery of people from all over the world, especial Burundians like President Nkurunziza who remained calm at hearing the news of the 2015 coup.
“Rumours are rife especially at the end of the year”, warned the Chief of Staff, Prime Niyongabo, “stick to the values the army”, he advised the cadets. He told them not to listen to politicians and radios and to “listen only to their hierarchical superiors”.
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