Kidumu’s arrival in Bujumbura the capital created controversy as he had come to entertain Burundians in the third Kenya Trade, Investment and Cultural exhibition. For some people, he was taken as a government supporter while for some others, he is simply a musician. An interview with Kidumu for more details
Pierre Nimbona, aka Kidumu
It’s been two years you’re not in Burundi, have you come with a special message to Burundians?
I came with a message of peace. Burundian refugees need to return home and be free in their activities. I know this crisis will end up with negotiations and an agreement as usual. Then, I came here to entertain people as an ambassador of peace. I was invited by the Kenyan embassy with the main objective of bringing happiness and peace to Burundians. So, let us embrace peace. I want everyone to take peace as their first priority. Whoever is against my coming to Burundi is an enemy of peace. After receiving different comments on social media, I have realized that everyone needs peace but in different ways. My wish is to get peace right now, not tomorrow. Some people want to have peace after they have got what they want. So, that is different to me the reason why some people are unhappy with my presence in Burundi. My wish is that peace prevails, not only in Burundi, but also throughout its neighboring countries. It is important to restore good relations with Rwanda as we make one family.
You seem optimistic. Do you think it is possible?
Yes, I spent 21 years out of Burundi living in Kenya. It is not good being a refugee. In fact, no matter how good one may be, there is always hope to go beyond. I am so optimistic about seeing Burundi as a stable, peaceful and prosperous country.
Your arrival has created controversy and confusion among Burundians. What is your reaction?
My duty is to bring everyone together so that we start seeing the national interest in the same way and take one direction. That is my duty. For some, I am a government supporter and for others, an anti-government and so on and so forth. However, they should notice that I am a musician and I am happy with what I did. I am not what some Burundians think I am. People should stop blaming me; I am not a decision-maker but a musician. I was invited by the Kenyan Embassy to bring people together. In fact, some politicians missed their opportunity to embrace peace with their followers. They should preach peace rather than doing the opposite.
And for those who think you have become a politician…
No! I tried once in 2005 and I will never go into politics again. It is not a game for children. It is a game for heartless people. About 80% of politicians are heartless. They use people like tyres. You know that a driver will never thank the tyres because they have helped him to travel in dangerous areas. This is a serious problem.
Politicians want to use people like tyres. You will elect and elect them, they will never thank you. Then, don’t put me among those heartless people from both sides. I don’t want to be in conflict with them. All that I want to do is singing for peace.
You are currently guarded by policemen. Do you worry about your security?
It is a government’s decision. There are ongoing killings here and there. You can easily become a target, this may start with rumblings and in the end you’re killed. It is the government’s duty to ensure everyone’s security.
At the beginning of this week, you met with the president during the peace torch caravan…..
Yes, it was on the occasion of carrying a peace torch and peace sounds good for me. So, I could not miss this opportunity while I advocate and want peace right now. I can’t wait to see peace prevailing throughout the country.
Whoever stands for peace, I am with him, we have lost many people. It’s high time we educated and brought people together through peace
After 21 years living abroad, do you plan to come back to Burundi for good?
I was a clever pupil but the Burundian crisis did not allow me to pursue my studies and my university became my daily bitter experience I lived through. My coming has created controversy as some people said I became a politician. When I came to Burundi, some people were unhappy, when I went to Rwanda, it was the same. This is madness! Then, how could I return to such a country? Burundians need to change their mindset…
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