The ruling party CNDD-FDD party concluded a week dedicated to former combatants in Buheka, in Makamba southern province. The ceremony was full of speeches and unusual things.
The week dedicated to the combatant was celebrated in Buheka
“It’s a bit like going back to the crime scene, except that here we have been more victims than executioners.”This is Buheka hill about twenty kilometers from the chief town of Nyanza-Lac commune in Makamba province, in the south of the country.
“It’s a symbolic place,” repeated the secretary general of CNDD-FDD party and other dignitaries from the party.
More than fifteen years ago, this plain was one of the strongholds of the rebel group. The population was committed to the cause and hid armed men in their houses. Bujumbura learnt it and sent reinforcements in the area. The battle was bloody. Several people died on the rebel side. “If we had been discouraged at the time in the face of the loss of our brave warriors, we wouldn’t have been here at the moment,” said Evariste Ndayishimiye.
15 years after the cease-fire of November 16, 2003, the rebel movement of the time is the party in power. Since 2005, rebels have become the President of the Republic, ministers, MPs, generals in the army, businessmen, etc. Today, they hold the reins of power. “However, we must not forget how far we have come,” recalls the Supreme Leader of CNDD-FDD, President Pierre Nkurunziza.
The party members came from all over the country to celebrate the end of the week dedicated to the combatant. The roads were rehabilitated, the potholes covered and large tents decorated with national colors. Slight rain had watered the ground. Police and soldiers were stationed at every corner of the streets from Nyanza-Lac.
Series of speeches
The secretary general of the party
‘General Evariste Ndayishimiye, also known as Neva’, who became the boss of CNDD-FDD party, delivered a real campaign-like speech. He painted what will be the focus of the election campaign of 2020: place for the development of the country.
No more turning a blind eye to corruption and embezzlement. The enemy of the country is no longer Belgium, the West, or even ethnic hatred. It is rather “poverty,” said Evariste Ndayishimiye.
The Bagumyabanga (those who keep the secret), members of the party, must no longer keep the secret of those who steal the country. “We must denounce them for the country to progress. Burundi needs to improve the health, education, environment and finance sectors “and the Bagumyabanga must take the lead in developing the country.”
The President of the Republic, Supreme Leader of the Party
“Let me insist on the traitors, opposite of brave warriors.” President Nkurunziza’s warning was clear. The traitor is the one who does not respect the decisions of the King and the President of the Republic. Whoever betrays the president also betrays the country and the people. “Those who did it are in exile far from their country. Do not forget it.”
He reminded the history of the country and its brave warriors long before the fighters of CNDD-FDD. He referred to the kings such as Ntare Rushatsi, Ntare Rugamba and Mwezi Gisabo as well as Prince Louis Rwagasore and Melchior Ndadaye, the heroes of independence and democracy. He said they were fighters.”They sacrificed their lives before you in conditions which were even more difficult than ours today,” he said.
What happened behind the scenes in Buhuta
The presence of children
Children as young as ten years old were present. With their older siblings, they livened up the festivities by dancing and singing well rehearsed songs. Children chanted war-related slogans like ” Tuzobasongako ”, ” Hongora injavyi ” (”We are going to chase after them,” ” We are going to remove their teeth ”). Some people said children need to be educated more to tolerance and non-violence.
Maquis food that aroused envy
The ceremonies ended with meal sharing. A buffet with maquis food. Corn, sweet potatoes, yam, meat … the guests served themselves as they wanted.
“While eating this food, remember the difficult life of the maquis and don’t have a big head,” said Pierre Nkurunziza before people started eating.
The people of the area who came to attend the ceremony looked with envy at the members of CNDD-FDD, unable to mingle with them: Soldiers and police officers were vigilant. “They say it’s a food of hard times and some of us can’t get it now,” said a woman.
A member of civil society and a prelate sing the party anthem
When the CNDD-FDD party anthem was sung in Buheka, some guests sang in chorus with the party members. They included the President of the National Elections Observatory-ONELOP and member of CNIDH at the same time as well as a prelate of the Anglican Church.
Imbonerakure grouped in FUSO type trucks
“Be careful. An accident can happen at any moment,” said one woman member of the CNDD-FDD party (Mukenyerarugamba) on the scene. Trucks carried hundreds of young members of the party to participate in the festivities. “Claustrophobic people could experience discomfort in these conditions”.
Written by Agnès Ndirubusa and Translated by
Pierre Emmanuel Ngendakumana
IWACU Open Data
