Burundi: Red-Tabara – Resistance pour un Etat de Droit (Red-Tabara) – Communique (03.01.2024)

Burundi: Communique de Presse de la Societe Civile Burundaise apres les Attaques Terroristes sur la Population Civile de Gatumba (30.12.2023)

Burundi: Ndayishimiye causing tension across the border…

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has accused Kigali and the Rwandan Government for aiding, supporting, funding and training Burundian rebels who is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) specificially the Rebel Group called RED-TABARA. That’s an huge accusation and you need some weight to come with it.

This is a bold claim and accusation. Even if the Rwandan authorities and army has been supportive of other proxies in the DRC. That is well-known in 2023 and isn’t a shocker. This is well-known and isn’t even that superficial. Therefore, the idea that the RPF and RDF would support a militia or a rebel group in the DRC. That sound about right, right?

Well, in this regard it is questionable because of the ties and the history of the Red Tabara. Red Tabara that was one out of two rebel groups that got started after the failed coup d’etat in 2015. The Red Tabara is also been claimed to be the military arm of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD Part), which happens to be an opposition party in Burundi. Again, not connected to Rwanda.

The leader of the group back in 2016 was Major General Biremba Melchiade. The Chief of Staff, which have been seldom interviewed. The one interview he did he wasn’t saying much of significance in 2016. However, he said they bought weapons on the “black market” and their objective is to set up a “transitional government” and “organize credible, free, transparent and democratic elections”. That he said to the Jeune Africa telephone interview in February of 2016, which isn’t much of news. Nevertheless, there is no association with outsider there either.

That’s why the President is bold when saying Kigali is sponsoring and aiding Red-Tabara now. When we know they are already found of supporting proxies in the DRC. It isn’t like Rwanda is a saint on this matter and doesn’t have blood on their hands. Regardless of that, in this instance we have to act with more caution.

This is because, these accusations are getting old. Especially, when there is no meat brought to the table. Neither did the President specifically state how and why. There is a need for evidence and proof of it. That’s why the UN Experts Reports to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are so revealing, as they have the bills, the proof and sometimes the transactions too. Which shows what went down and how a proxy is aided across the borders into the DRC. That’s what Bujumbura needs to prove now.

Bujumbura needs to show Kigali the proof. I need to see proof. Until now, the Red-Tabara has been an outfit by Burundian and for Burundians. It wouldn’t be out of ordinary if Kigali sponsored it, but we still need tangible evidence for it. Not just hearsay and accusations. Especially, when everything pins back to an open rebellion against the CNDD-FDD and Nkurunziza. This is why it exists and now it comes back to haunt the ruling regime of Burundi.

Until proven otherwise, I need more to say yes. Because, there is more at play here. Easier to blame the neighbour for own failures, than accepting it yourself. The insurgency is more feasible if someone else is behind it. Not just mere rebels with a cause, but rebels with an army behind it. That’s why the President wants it this way and I don’t blame him. He wants to look better and be prestigious. However, he has failed as much as his predecessor in this matter.

Red-Tabara continues to live and be able to cause bloodshed. That’s because the authorities and the army aren’t able to contain them. They have enough manpower and weapons to damage in the Republic. That should be a worry for the President. Peace.

Burundi: Red-Tabara – Resistance pour un Etat de Droit (Red-Tabara) – Communique (29.12.2023)

Burundi: Presidence de la Republique – Communique du Gouvernement (23.12.2023)

Burundi: Former Prime Minister Bunyoni owned 153 house and 55 vehicles…

Bunyoni affair: life sentence requested for the former Prime Minister and seizure & sale of his “153 houses and 55 vehicles.” 30 years in prison for Désiré Uwamahoro and the other co-defendants. This is the indictment of the public prosecutor after 4 days of a marathon trial. The defendants demand “unconditional acquittal”” (Antoine Kaburahe, 09.11.2023).

I have written about the Former Burundian Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni. These words and explanations can be repeated, because it gives context to the matter. That’s why I will use them as the trial is going on and has been in works for some time now.

In Burundi there is an on-going criminal case against former Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni. A who has been loyal to the CNDD-FDD and a man that former President Pierre Nkurunziza entrusted with national security organizations.

Bunyoni has held vital roles in the Government of Burundi. In the era of th CNDD-FDD he has rose through the ranks and gotten into prominence. This has done with share brutality and state sponsored violence. That has been done on the behest of the party and with acknowledge of the ones above him.

The Burundi Human Rights Initiative Report from December 2020 describes the man like this:

For years, Burundi’s new Prime Minister, Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, has made his presence felt behind the scenes. His professional demeanour, well-cut suits and meticulous air gave him a veneer of respectability. As his influence grew, however, he quietly cultivated members of the security forces, some of whom were notorious for killing or torturing government opponents. “He hides behind others,” said one of his former colleagues. “The crimes are committed under his complicit watch. Either he agrees to the crimes, or he closes his eyes and lets them happen.” Former colleagues described him as cunning and said he is careful to cover his tracks when it comes to human rights violations. A former official who worked closely with him in the past said he is an intelligent man, but his public persona doesn’t reveal his true character. “He had two faces,” he said. “He had a hidden face that I didn’t see; that’s his current face.” Bunyoni’s hubris and his shrewd but brutal governing style emerged in private and, along with his love of money, have irritated some powerful CNDD-FDD generals. “He’s a man without a heart, without emotion, contrary to Évariste (Ndayishimiye),” said a former CNDD-FDD official” (The Burundi Human Rights Initiative – ‘A STRANGLEHOLD ON BURUNDI’S FUTURE’ December 2020).

When you know all of this about Bunyoni, it is hard to feel sympathy or emotions towards him. Yes, he should have the same rights under the law and be held accountable. In the same regard though, he used his office to enrich himself and his family. The former Prime Minister was able to take so much properties and vehicles. That is just astonishing… and he did it on the watch of previous President Nkurunziza.

This is really showing what the CNDD-FDD is capable of. Not only the massive amount of brutality, lethal orders and other impunity done towards dissidents and activists. No, this shows what sort of possibilities are there for the ones who are in the inner-circle.

As the former appointed Prime Minister and entrusted leader. Bunyoni had a lot of prestige and power. Apparently, he used that to enlarge his wealth and his own stature. Who knows how he was capable of getting over 150 houses and over 50 vehicles. However, he did and now he has to suffer the consequences. He thought he would get away it and never be held accountable for his actions. Now the pendulum has swung his way and he cannot catch up. Neither can his closest associates, who will also face harsh judgement.

There won’t be shed many tears over this. It is just a man who stole and used the office to enrich himself. While he ordered the end of people’s lives or ensured their silence. That’s what he did and now he will possibly be entering a facility where someone knows what he did and that he was in-charge when they were sentenced. There will be many there who could want to revenge or avenge someone they know.

This PM is facing the monster he created himself and now it was his turn to be touched. Peace.

Burundi: Ministere du Commerce, du Transport, de l’Industrie et du Tourisme – Communique ralative a la Mesure d’Embouteillage des Boissons Alcooliseees dont la Teneur en Alcool Depasse 16% (27.10.2023)

Burundi: Congres National pour la Liberte (CNL) – Communique de Presse (17.10.2023)

Burundi: Force de Lutte Contre le Nepotisme et le Favoritisme au Burundi (FOLUCON-F) – Communique de Presse (12.10.2023)

Burundi: A non existing coup d’etat [yet again…]

Burundi: for the first time this Friday morning, heavily armed BSPI (Special Brigade for the Protection of Institutions) officers used police dogs to control people entering the RTNB premises and the few vehicles authorized to enter” (SOS Medias Burundi, 15.09.2023).

All morning and all day of the 16th September 2023 I was anticipating and hurrying checking updates. Since the grapevine and news would come out. However, there was nothing. Nothing new under the sun. A whole bunch of emptiness.

That is fine for President Evariste Ndayishimiye and the Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie–Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie (CNDD-FDD) which holds an iron grip on power. This has been done for years and his predecessor was preparing for his third term and was crowned as the Supreme Leader of Patriotism. He would later die of unknown circumstances allegedly of cardiac arrest, but plenty speculate it was of COVID-19. The late President ruled the nation for 15 years and was bound to live in excellence after office on a massive salary and Vice-Presidential perks. However, days after going out of office. He was deceased and the successor was already elected to takeover.

That man is the current day President Ndayishimiye. His a man that has followed the footsteps of Nkurunziza. The President has not only followed orders, but been a trusted individual in the eyes of the predecessor. That’s why he was able to be fielded and even trusted to become the President. Because, Nkurunziza wouldn’t want someone who could touch him or take away his lifestyle after the Presidency. It wasn’t without consideration or coordination that Ndayishimiye was picked to be the man to continue the reigns of CNDD-FDD.

The last real plot to do a putsh or coup d’etat was in 2015 and that’s why Nkurunziza fled the nation. Which he returned to days later when the treasonous men was captured, but the army commander who operated the coup did flee the Republic. There has also become an insurgency and a militia, the RED TABARA which exists to end the CNDD-FDD rule. They are fighting in the DR Congo and are allegedly supported by Kigali. While Kigali is denying that, but there are always speculation circulating about these things and someone has to fund these clandestine missions.

President Ndayishimiye isn’t the sort of fella that would travel across the world if his spot or office was in danger. He wouldn’t have gone to Cuba or anywhere else for that matter. If he didn’t think he would easily get home and his people was sought after. That’s not the sort of man he is or gives the impression of being.

Yes, there been speculated previous coup d’etat’s against him. Earlier in 2023, the former Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni was supposed to behind a coup as well. However, that seems more like internal squabble and direct power struggle in the CNDD-FDD, as PM hadn’t long ago been a prominent and respected leader within the party. The CNDD-FDD and the authorities did apprehend him in 2023, but there is also rumours that there was preparations for it back in 2022. That’s why the President sacked in April of 2023. Which is a long time to keep someone who is committing treason around you. It is weird, but we don’t know how strong the bonds was between the PM and the President…

What we can say is that this weekend there haven’t been a coup or a plot of a coup d’etat. If that was the case. I would have expected the CNL or OLUCOME to say something. The CNDD-FDD would call for peace and keep constitutional order. While the army would say people should stay calm and restrain themselves until further notice. However, none of that happen and only a single retort has been made and that’s calling it “fake news” and “routine check-up” of the RTNB.

I’m more cynical and would hear news of gun-fire, mass-arrests and decrees from Bujumbura. I would expect pictures of soldiers ambushing popular figures or prominent people within the CNDD-FDD. There would be soldiers on every corner and there wouldn’t be any more surprises. As the new junta and leadership would ensure the CNDD-FDD had to answer for its crimes in office. That’s what would happen or would make sense.

However, this weekend there is no smoke or fire. I would think there would be orders of Imbonerakure to the streets to defend the Republic and its government. That’s what I would expect if anyone tried to topple the CNDD-FDD. That plus the Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi (FDNB) or the National Army to either be part of it or be vigorously on the barricades defending the status quo. Nevertheless, we have seen none of this or any reporting stating this. That’s why you know it is a lot of nothing.

There would be prominent house-arrests and people in the inner-circle of the President apprehended. These would face consequences and be in legal trouble. Their days would be finalized or they would get the offer of living life in exile. That’s why you know there is no coup. The rumours has been unprovoked and without merit.

Yes, the tyrant and his government can continue to rule indefinitely. There is no fierce competition or fear in sight. The CNDD-FDD reign seems to prolonged and the state of affairs is stagnate. The President will continue to be the Head of State. All of the army and other institutions are there to serve the Presidency and anyone in association with him. That’s the gist of things and we shouldn’t be shocked by it.

We should just look for more signs and possible actions if there was a coup d’etat. There would news of whose behind or speculated to be behind it. It would be talks of sponsoring and who could benefit from the coup. That being Rwanda, Uganda or anyone else who has a stake in the internal affairs of Burundi. We know Museveni supported Nkuruniziza when he was in need for direct military support in 2015. The same could easily happen in 2023. Because, Museveni prefers friendly faces in power in his neighbourhood.

Ndayishimiye hasn’t his final day in office just yet. There needs to be whole lot more happening. The centre is holding and I cannot see it happening at this time. To get there it’s a need of lack trust and timing. The ones doing it has to calculate and assume the authorities, the state and the military will be aligned behind them. Because right now… they would all fight against the treasonous pack of people and they would punished with death. That’s why we don’t see it…

The powerhouses of Gitega and Bujumbura will continue. The persistent CNDD-FDD will linger on. Until proven otherwise. Peace.