Demobilized soldiers and former rebels who were handicapped in the battle field wererecently relocatedto new demobilization centers. Life in Zege center,in Gitega province is unbearable, according to its inhabitants.-By J.Berchmans Siboniyo
Two of the demobilized soldiers living in Zege demobilization center ©Iwacu
“We are going to die of hunger. We were only given food when we were brought here on 12 August 2014. They didn’t even give us charcoal to cook with. We sold food to buy wood, salt and cooking oil”, says Fidèle Bavugamenshi, who is paralyzed in the left side of his body since falling into a deep pit while fighting against rebels in 2003. He indicates that the food was distributed without taking into account the number of family members.
“The Ministry of Defense promised to provide us with food, health care and good accommodation”, says Isidore Ndikumana. “We are disappointed when we see the kind of life we are living. We know that they are aware of the situation. The satisfied belly doesn’t hear cries of the hungry one. They forget that we got disabled while fighting for the nation”, complains Ndikumana, whose lower limbs were paralyzed in a car accident on the way to the battle field.
Celestin Nimbesha, whose right side became numb after a shot in the head, states that the food issue is very urgent. But there are other problems at hand as well. “We don’t have any land in this area. It is true that we can’t toil it because we are disabled, but we have families.”
DéoBarankeba, who can’t use his legs after being shot in the spine, says that the houses were not built appropriately. “They didn’t take into account our disabilities when they built the toilets and the shower tabs. It is impossible for me to have a shower unless someone holds me up.”
The demobilized soldiers ask the government to build a school and a health center near the camp. “We don’t have the strength to go to health centers far away. Our children study in Gitega center, about 8kilometers from here. We also need some kind of enclosure. Right now, we can’tkeep fowl or small livestock because thieves would steal them”, Barankeba says.
Gaspard Baratuza, the spokesman of the national army says that the food issue is the result of poor management on the soldiers’ side. “We distributed food for three months in August. The time for a new round has not come yet. We will give them more when the time comes. We know of their complaints. In Makamba province, the soldiers refused to take the food arguing that it is not enough. That is impolite. They have to know that it is a privilege. ”
Concerning the issue of a school and a health center, Baratuza indicates that building schools and hospitals is not an issue for theNational Defense. “We will help them in what we can and what concerns us.” However he does acknowledge that the ministry promised totake care of their health. “Is there any person among them who got sick and lacked medications?”, he replies when confronted with their complaints.
The soldiers were kept in different military camps before being brought to the Zege demobilization center. Because of the hard life they lead, some are leaving the center to beg for food in the neighboring areas.
Theother demobilizationcenters are in Mwaro (Kayokwe), Cibitoke (Karurama), Bubanza (Mpanda), Ngozi (Mu vyego) and Makamba.
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