Peace, controversial concept among Burundian politicians

While the world celebrates the Peace Day each September 21, Burundian politicians’ interpretations of peace diverge.

Martin Nivyabandi: “There is tranquility everywhere in the country”.

Martin Nivyabandi, Minister of Human Rights, says peace reigns throughout the country. He says Burundi successfully organized free and democratic elections in 2015 and freely elected its leaders. “Besides, the country has just organized the constitutional referendum in 2018 thanks to peace and stability,” he says.

Mr Nivyabandi says there is tranquility in all parts of the country. “The population is engaged in development activities and there is a massive and voluntary return of Burundian refugees”.
Zénon Nimubona, chairman of PARENA party, says peace means absence of internal and external tensions. He says there is no peace in Burundi. “Since 2015, thousands of Burundians including politicians were forced into exile. Burundi has an issue with other countries namely Rwanda and does not cooperate anymore with international organizations namely European Union”, he says.

Mr Nimubona also says these tensions and misunderstandings affect the population’s lives. “There are extra tax expenses that the population is obliged to pay because the country does not cooperate with its former key donors anymore. This causes poverty and the latter is one of the characteristics which shows the lack of peace”.

As for Keffa Nibizi, Chairman of FRODEBU Nyakuri party, he says there is peace and security throughout the country. “In my political party, we have representatives in all communes and no insecurity cases are reported. The declaration of the UN Secretary General special envoy, Michel Kafondo also confirms that there is peace in Burundi”.

Juvénal Ngorwanubusa, chairman of MRC-Rurenzangemero, wonders how the government can dare say there is peace while there are ongoing crimes in the country. “There are reports of forced disappearances, and approximately half of a million refugees are suffering outside the country. Moreover, people are killed and different attacks are perpetrated…,”he says adding that Burundian people also suffer from extreme poverty.

The Peace Day will be celebrated this September 21, 2018 in Bujumbura city under the national theme “Promoting peace, source of human dignity and sustainable development”.