Burundi: Ndayishimiye as a Presidential Candidate is a bad-sign ahead

said this to the UN Agents, looking them straight in the eye: you wanted to deploy MAPROBU to come and kill us. This force will not beat us, if they come I know we will defeat them in three hours … We must know that it is time to drive out all the demons that have infiltrated Burundi. God is with us, we will fight all demons. They will be exterminated and Burundi will develop”Evariste Ndayishimiye (SOS Burundi – ‘Quarterly report on the situation of human rights in Burundi July 1 to September 30, 2017’ October 2017).

Evariste Ndayishimiye is now the apparent heir of the CNDD-FDD and the next up-coming President in Burundi. After three terms of Pierre Nkurunziza. A man whose legacy and time will be deemed with the blood on his hands. Now, the CNDD-FDD is handpicking a man whose mission has been to do the duty of Nkurunziza.

General Ndayishimiye has been in CNDD-FDD since 1995. He came from the Parti pour la Libération du Peuple Hutu-Forces Nationales de Libération (Palipehutu-FNL). A party that has later changed name and is now the only the FNL. A party that he has later done what he could to eliminate together with other strong men in the appointed cabinet of Nkurunziza.

Gen. Ndayishimiye, the Secretary General of CNDD-FDD and former Minister of Interior, whose been in-charge of the Operation “Safisha”, which is Kiswahili for “to clean”. The mission was also to directly assassination of the FNL President. Also, getting rid of the opposition, which were former Ex-Fab and FNL activists.

So, giving him the role now. Will show how not only the militarised CNDD-FDD continues to spread its message with force. But, how they intend to continue their purge. As his known as a hard-liner. A man whose has no issue to use militarised methods to get his way.

The man the CNDD-FDD Secretary General written this: “As for the Burundians, thirsty for power, who let themselves be led by the neo-colonialists who seek to destroy the independence and dignity of the Burundian people in order to achieve their ends, the CNDD-FDD Party recommends that they recapture themselves and join the bandwagon towards the 2020 elections” (Ndayishimiye – ‘Statement of the CNDD-FDD party on the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Ndadaye Melchior’ 20.10.2018).

We know his well known for this as his been nicknamed the “terminator”. For his will of using the police, the army and Imbonerakure to get rid of FNL and Ex-Fab in Burundi. The General knows this and has tried to downplay it. Even as there is weekly people getting abducted, killed and suddenly gone missing.

Gen. Ndayishimiye who has been a loyal general to the President said this before the polls on the latest referendum in 2018: “Anyone who votes No will be a traitor, bought and paid for by white colonizers, They’re enemies of the country. They’re even devils, because voting No will bring a curse” (Ndayishimiye, 2018).

If he feels that way about people voting now to a legislation giving Nkurunziza the possibility of a fourth term. What would he say, if it matters to his own self? Wouldn’t he call them traitors and scum, if they don’t vote for him?

When its that easy to call people enemies. Make secret coded operations to get rid of enemies. That sort of man is dangerous. His dangerously enough in the high ranking position his in now and with his place in the Council among the President. However, now he’ll get even more power.

Don’t expect anyone to dare to insult the CNDD-FDD. Who has used force to say in power. Who has silenced critics and by any means staying in power. His a loyalist to Nkurunziza. So, expect him to hold him in high regard and still play after his time in office.

However, it isn’t a paradigm shift to pick Gen. Ndayishimiye, it is more of the same and possibly amping up the violence even more. Maybe even striking harder down on dissidents and not letting them go. As he will target the enemies of the state and the CNDD-FDD. With all means at his disposal. Don’t expect silencing of the guns, but more of them.

The military wing of CNDD-FDD has gotten their man. This will be bloody. The ones calling him moderate is out of line. The man who was in-charge of cleaning up and assassinations. His not moderate, but a killer in a suit.

Future His Excellency, but don’t expect the CNDD-FDD to change their ways of operations. Just more bloodshed and more constrained political space in the mercy of a Evariste. This here is not good news, but a future with more hostile behaviour from the state. Peace.

Burundi: OLUCOME – Communique de Presse No. 003 – Portant Sur la Priere Interconfesionnelle d’Action de Grace Organisee par le Parti CNDD-FDD dans la Capitale Politique de Gitega a la Veille de la Proclamation du Candidat aux Presidentielles de mai Prochain (25.01.2020)

Burundi: OLUCOME – Communique de Presse No. 02 – Portant sur le Detournement Probable des Fonds des Enseignants Retenus a la Source par l’Influence de la Coalition COSESONA (22.01.2020)

Opinion: My flawed thoughts on the possible retirement President Nkurunziza

There is some new strange movements in concern of the “imboneza yamaho” or the Eternal Leader. Who was crowned that in March 2018. Now in January 2020 the Parliament have a draft legislation, where President Pierre Nkurunziza will be crowned the Paramount leader, Champion of Patriotism and Leadership Core.

Other than that, the President is supposed to get a retirement package of 1 Billion Burundian Francs or $550k United States Dollars. Also, the same benefits as the Vice-President for Life. That is a huge salary, also provide him housing as well. Therefore, he will never live in poverty like most of his citizens. But instead living a lavish lifestyle, which he surely got accustomed to in the three terms as President.

Now, the Eternal Leader, the Paramount Leader and the Champion of Patriotism and Leadership Core is supposed to step-down. That is the mightiest man in the Republic. Now suddenly he will back-down and be a silent soul. Surely, a man like that will return, if not control it from the back-room.

A man that has used force to get into power, a man that has gotten rid of his enemies. Rewritten the Constitution to fit him. Its hard to see him stepping down. If he does so, there will be some sort of function, where he will work and use his influence. Because, he might do like Kabila, run the Ruling Party and seal the deals from afar. While a President is his puppet. That wouldn’t be shocking in CNDD-FDD. As Nkurunziza has used all tools to get power and stay.

So, with this in mind. I wonder how long the retirement would be or if he would accept it. This seems like a play for the facade and let it go. Unless, he plans to do a Putin, be gone for one term and re-return after. Putin became Prime Minister, but Nkurunziza could pull of the same. Especially, since his leadership has praised like God like by the ones close in association to him.

Even if President Nkurunziza doesn’t go to the elections this year. Expect him to suddenly appear. That wouldn’t be shocking. It would be expected, because people like him doesn’t just go away. Since he has fatally gotten rid of so many people.

The blood is on his hands and that is his legacy. Not the titles or the time in office. The stains will be with him forever. Peace.

South Sudan: Pursuing artificial deadlines will not create peace

The Revitalized – Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) was supposed to be formed by 22nd February 2020. This after a 100 day extension of the last deadline. Both major parties like Dr. Riek Machar of Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army – (In-Opposition) (SPLM/A-(IO) and President Salva Kiir Mayardit of Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army – In Goverment (SPLM/A-IG). There is now talks of another 90 days extension.

The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) had an original deadline that was on the 12th November 2019. That is why R-ARCSS needs time to be fixed and worked with. The Khartoum Declaration of 27th June 2018 was the start of this process, but clearly, the South Sudanese stakeholders needs time. They need more than small visits of SPLM/A-(IO) delegations. It needs more than tokens of hope from the Rome Declaration of 12th January 2020. It gives hope from the South Sudan Opposition, but it doesn’t stop the needed dialogue.

Kiir and Machar needs more time together. They need to sit with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and others. So, that their grievances get met. That people are not using the uncertainty to fuel internal conflicts in various of states. This is what is happening. While the last train is going away.

What is bugging me, while following it. Is to see how the European Union, the Troika and United States are pushing hard for finishing it by the artificial deadline. The date of 22nd February 2020 shouldn’t be the final nail in the coffin. Especially, if they prolong the cease-fire, push for more negotiations and actually leads to something positive on the ground. That should matter than a put up date. Especially, after such a long and bloody conflict the South Sudanese has been through. Its like that is water under the bridge after the Independence from Khartoum.

Let’s be serious for minute. If it was fine with a 100 days in November 2019. What’s the big difference now in January 2020? Not so much right? 90 more days will not solve it, just like the 100 days before. However, it gives the party more time and actually do things that matters. Hopefully not just buy time for recruitments, but sit together with IGAD and Special Envoys to iron things out.

The R-ARCSS follows the previous deal, the ARCSS. It is many of the same players and stakeholders. They are all playing this as a way of gaining power. But if they get this done with whatever time it takes. It is better, that the parties are formal and conducting manners like this. Instead of going back to the battlefield and hunting each other. Another civil war will not be in anyone’s interest, unless they are merchants of death.

The international community are focusing on a date, instead of the results. The ones whose supporting this must see this flaw. They should instead facilitate and ensure the parties get to talk, get to walk through the steps of the R-ARCSS and get the TGoNU in order. Instead of forcing a marriage without the preen-up in order. The bride and the groom will get into a brutal divorce if so. That is at least what I see coming.

Last time it went bad. It was tanks in the streets of Juba. Machar fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rest is history. However, with the knowledge of that. The dates where the negotiations ends shouldn’t be the focus, be the aim, but the progress and opening up more avenues for the stakeholders to actually succeed. That is if they care about the fate of the Republic.

No process is perfect, because we as people are not perfect, but humans with defects. That is why we need measures and mechanisms to secure our flaws for a better outcome. The International Community and the ones supposed to cheer on the stakeholders are not seeing this. They want the grand results without the needed work behind it. That’s not how they do it themselves, neither how any of them would allow being pushed to finish reforms at home. Therefore, they should give them more time. Not being locked to artificial dates, but instead salute progress and hope that each step is getting closer to the outcome everyone wants. Sustainable Peace, not a “fake peace”. Peace.

South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA): Press Statement (19.01.2020)

South Sudan: SPLM/A-(IO) – Press Release (20.01.2020)

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) calls South Sudan to increase its public spending in education (20.01.2020)

2.2 million children do not have access to quality education in South Sudan, jeopardizing the future of the entire country.

JUBA, South Sudan, January 20, 2020 – South Sudan is not sufficiently prioritizing children’s education, UNICEF said today. While the internationally agreed international standard for education allocations is 20 per cent of the national budget, South Sudan only spends 5.6 per cent for 2019-2020, according the national budget. This is the lowest public education spending in East Africa, recent studies say.2.2 million children do not have access to quality education in South Sudan, jeopardizing the future of the entire country. As the country prepares for a new academic year, UNICEF is calling on the Government of South Sudan to prioritize education in its government spending.

“Education must be a top priority for the Government in South Sudan and sufficient allocations must be made to ensure every child in the country can go to school and learn,” said UNICEF Representative in South Sudan Dr Mohamed Ag Ayoya. “By investing in the education of its children, South Sudan is investing in the future and development of the whole country.”

The call for more public spending on education in South Sudan, comes as UNICEF is launching the global report ‘Addressing the learning crisis: an urgent need to better finance education for the poorest children’. Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls from the poorest households around the world has never been to school, the report says – launched as education ministers from all over the world are gathered at the Education World Forum, ahead of the World Economic Forum annual meeting.

Poverty, discrimination due to gender, disability, ethnic origin or language of instruction, physical distance from schools and poor infrastructure are among the obstacles that continue to prevent the poorest children from accessing quality education. Exclusion at every step of education perpetuates poverty and is a key driver of a global learning crisis.

The paper notes that the lack of resources available for the poorest children is exacerbating a crippling learning crisis, as schools fail to provide quality education for their students.

In South Sudan, lack of public investment in education is contributing to the critical shortage of qualified teachers. An estimated 62 per cent of primary teachers and 44 per cent of secondary teachers are not qualified. Also, many teachers leave the profession due to salaries not being paid on a regular basis.

UNICEF calls the Government of South Sudan:

  • to progressively increase the education share of the national budget to the international agreed standard of 20 per cent.
  • to ensure salaries of qualified teachers are paid and paid on time to increase teacher retention.
  • to allocate adequate resources to pre-primary education to ensure children are starting primary school well prepared.

“With South Sudan’s academic year commencing in a few weeks, it is prudent to commit to realizing every child’s right to an education, by ensuring the education sector has the necessary resources,” said Ayoya.

Burundi: UBJ – Communique de l’UBJ l’arrestation du journaliste Blaise Pascal Karaumiye (17.01.2020)

Burundi: Mouvement pour la Solidarite et la Democratie (MSD) – Declaration (16.01.2020)