CNARED: « Our main objective was to return home within nine months »

The term of CNARED Executive Board ends its term this 25 January. Some activities have been made according to the assessment by the Executive Board.

Outgoing CNARED Board

Anicet Niyonkuru, Executive Secretary to the National Council for the Restoration of the Arusha Agreement and the State of law-CNARED says several activities have been achieved despite some challenges. “At the beginning, we planned to return home within nine months and contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in the country but in vain”, says Niyonkuru.

He says CNARED members converged that they would have finished talking to the Burundian Government on how the country would be governed according to the law. “We wish to work hand in hand with the Burundian Government but it seems unwilling to be involved in the process”, says Niyonkuru.

Burundi Government has never recognized CNARED. Gaston Sindimwo, the first deputy president has previously said CNARED is a Belgium association which has nothing to do with Burundi Government.

From 20 to 22 January, CNARED board has met the leaders of the Civil Society in exile and the Burundian Diaspora from Canada, Europe and Africa to analyze how they should restore the rule of law in Burundi.

Is CNARED divided?

Three party members (Sahwanya Frodebu, ADR and CNDD political parties) attended the Arusha session organized on 16 January.

CNARED board has decided to no longer participate in the activities organized by Benjamin Mkapa as a facilitator. In December 2016, CNARED criticized Mkapa for being biased towards the Burundian Government. “Some members are desperate about what is happening in the country like other Burundians and would like to return home”, says Niyonkuru.
Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, Former Burundi President and member of CNARED, returned home from exile in Belgium on 11 December 2016.

The Executive Secretary says this doesn’t mean that CNARED is divided. “Its members really need to contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in Burundi”, he says.

The first CNARED board was created on 25 February 2016 with a term limit of nine months.