Gaspard Baratuza

Security

No attack perpetrated in Gatumba locality, says Army spokesperson

09-29-2017 During the public conference the spokespersons of the government and other institutions have held on 29 September in Ngozi province, the Army spokesperson says there has not been any attack perpetrated in Gatumba locality, west of Bujumbura province. Two soldiers died on the spot in the attack perpetrated last (...)
Security

Only thirty soldiers defected since 2015, says Army spokesperson

04-12-2017 The International Crisis Group reported that between 600 and 2,000 soldiers including high-ranking officers have defected since April 2015. According to the report published on 5 April, the fear of being killed reinforces the desertion observed in the Burundian army. The International crisis group also reported that several desertions (...)
Security

Burundi soldier repatriated from Somalia for driving alone in Mogadishu

03-11-2017 Caporal-Chief Niyonkuru Leon was repatriated from the UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia on 9 March. He is accused of driving alone in the Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. “The troop contributing country, even the international community, doesn’t tolerate this due to the insecurity prevailing there”, says Gaspard Baratuza, (...)
Security

Baratuza «There are no real Burundian soldiers in Kiliba”

12-31-2016 The government has denied media reports of confrontations between soldiers of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of Burundi’s neighbours, in the west of Burundi. The two countries maintain good relations, said Gaspard Baratuza, spokesman for Burundi’s National Defense ministry, on 29 December. According to RFI, (...)
Security

Burundian Army hopes its troops in AMISOM will get their arrears”

12-28-2016 Burundi National Defense Force Spokesman, Gaspard Baratuza, confirms the AU appeal to Burundi government to send soldiers who will replace the 40th, 41st and 42nd battalions deployed in Somalia. He believes the Burundian military, who serve the African Union Mission in Somalia-AMISOM, are going to be paid their arrears. (...)
Security

Rumours cause army officers to desert, says the army spokesman

08-22-2016 Four Burundian army officers have deserted after the completion of their studies in Ethiopia. Reportedly, they feared for their security. But Col. Gaspard Baratuza says the soldiers’ fear was caused by false information on social media. Those officers are said to have asked for a political asylum because they (...)