UNSC Report of February 2017 on the Burundi Crisis: Staggering human rights violations has unfolded since 2015!

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The Burundian crisis as described by the United Nations and a report delivered to the United Security Council on the 23rd February 2017. This is the most recent compiled report on the situation of safety, human rights and peaceful work in the East African republic. Where the President Pierre Nkurunziza, decided to run for a third term, even as the constitution after the Arusha Peace Agreement, was set to be possible to have two terms.

So we are in March 2017, as the crisis has been going on since 2015. The Burundian government have continued to assassinated, detained and intimidated their population, as much they have also created a political climate where the Nkurunziza regime is hostile to foreign interference, as well as the toil of the crisis, also creates a vacuum in economic and fiscal funds for the state.

All of this is reports made to the United Nations and found by the UN Human Rights Observation Group that been stationed in Bujumbura and had to request and notify the government of their arrival. The Government are keeping their hands more tight and controlling as they want to supervise even the experts from the UN. Therefore the report has been criticised by Burundian government as expected. Because who would like to have these sorts of allegations and reports about their government. When you put the Burundian government acts together you can see a systematic oppression of the citizens of the republic. That is not a look any government want to be put in the public space, but this sort of aggressive police state and use of political youth wing to oppress the people. Just take a look!

Political Crisis:

“Nearly two years have passed since the beginning of the political crisis in Burundi, which was sparked by the decision of the ruling party, Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie — Forces pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDDFDD), to support President Pierre Nkurunziza ’s candidacy for a third term. Since then, the political impasse has only deepened. Political space has been narrowed further through repression. In lieu of meaningful dialogue, the exchange of political views, primarily in the form of accusations and counter -accusations, is taking place across social media and in public communiqués. I n a new development, President Nkurunziza suggested in a statement at the end of 2016 that he might seek a fourth term in office “if the Burundian people decide to change the Constitution according to their wishes” (UNSC, P: 1, 2017).

Violations of the State:

“While the Government insists that the situation in the country has normalized, political opposition and civil society leaders continue to appeal for urgent international action to avert the risk of further deterioration, widespread violence and mass atrocities. Despite a decline in overt violence and fewer incidences of armed confrontation, reports of human rights violations and abuses continue, including killings, enforced disappearances, gender -based violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill -treatment, along with the discovery of unidentified bodies. The allegations of more than 200 cases of enforce d disappearance since October 2016 are of particular concern. From April 2015 to 31 December 2016, OHCHR documented 593 violations of the right to life, and hundreds of people continue to be arrested every month” (…) “Many Burundians live in fear as a result of widespread repression and increasing intimidation by the Imbonerakure, the ruling party’s youth wing. There are also unconfirmed reports of attacks and human rights abuses committed against Government supporters and security forces” (UNSC, P: 2, 2017).

Establish a new Constitution in violation of the Arusha Peace Agreement:

“On 16 November 2016, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a constitutional review commission mandated to study amendments to the Constitution. The commission is reportedly tasked with analysing articles of the Constitution to be amended for Government consideration and, with the latter’s agreement, proposing an amended draft Constitution. It further stated that the Council’s decision had been informed by: (a) recommendations on constitutional amendments contained in reports of the National Independent Electoral Commission, the National Independent Human Rights Commission and CNDI; (b) the resolution adopted at the 11 October meeting of political parties and leaders; and (c) the need to harmonize certain articles with EAC law. Opposition political parties and civil society criticized the Council’s decision, warning that any deliberate violation of the Constitution and the Arusha Agreement would only worsen the current political crisis” (UNSC, P: 3, 2017).

Security Situation:

“The security situation remains fragile. While incidents of overt violence and clashes between armed groups and Government security and defence forces had ebbed for some time, daily allegations of arbitrary arrest, ill -treatment, torture and enforced disappearance, along with the discovery of bodies, continue to be reported” (…) “The Imbonerakure reportedly also routinely participate in joint operations with the police and intelligence services and are reported to have been implicated in numerous cases of arbitrary arres t and disappearance, ill-treatment, killings and some cases of sexual violence” (UNSC, P: 5, 2017).

Burundian and Rwandan Relations:

“Relations between Burundi and Rwanda remain tense. Throughout the reporting period, isolated border incidents, as well as trade and movement restrictions, were witnessed. On 29 July, the Council of Ministers decided to stop the export of all food products to neighbouring countries, repo rtedly in response to insufficient domestic production. On 23 August, the East African Legislative Assembly decided to investigate issues affecting trade and free movement of citizens between Burundi and Rwanda. Burundian security forces frequently arrested individuals travelling to and from Rwanda, as well as the United Republic of Tanzania” (UNSC, P: 6, 2017).

Political Rhetoric:

“Since the beginning of the crisis, political figures have used inflammatory and hate-filled language in speeches, on social media, in communiqués and in the press, calling on the population to “protect” the country against so-called traitors and plotters allegedly trying to destabilize Burundi. Rhetoric has included incitement to violence, as well as attacks on the opposition and against civil society, while neighbouring countries have been accused of involvement in attempted assassinations” (UNSC, P: 9, 2017).

Effects of the Crisis:

“There has been a four-fold increase in the number of people who are food insecure — from 730,000 to 3 million — owing to the rising prices of basic food items, the seasonal rain deficit during the 2016 agricultural season, chronic poverty and poor harvests. According to the World Health Organization, some 8.2 million Burundians (73 per cent of the total population) were affected by malaria in 2016; 3,826 died. The number of internally displaced persons is estimated at 170,000, while the number of spontaneous returnees identified so far in some targeted provinces is approximately 37,000. The monthly rate of arrival of refugees in Neighbouring countries from August to October 2016 doubled from previous months, and the increasing trend was confirmed in the first weeks of 2017. As of early February 2017, the number of Burundians who had fled the country since April 2015 stood at 387,000” (UNSC, P: 10, 2017).

Human Rights Observers:

“As of February 2017, only 45 African Union human rights observers, 32 of whom are funded through catalytic funding provided by the Peacebuilding Fund, have been deployed to Burundi. Twenty-three African Union military experts have been deployed; however, owing to a scheduled rotation, there were only 10 African Union military experts in the country at the time of reporting. Despite months of negotiations, the Government has yet to sign a memorandum of understanding guiding the African Union deployment in Burundi” (UNSC, P: 12, 2017). “The Office of the Special Adviser and OHCHR are not alone in experiencing Government restrictions. Some members of the United Nations country team have been affected by the Government’s decision to require 10 days’ notification ahead of any in-country travel. There have been delays in the processing of visas, and some local staff have faced intimidation, including instances of arbitrary arrest” (UNSC, P: 13, 2017).

If you read this you couldn’t be shocked as the reports of this actions has been in media, but when you collect them, you can see the evidence of the systematic oppression of the people. This is the reason for the refugees and the hard-hitting report that we’re delivered this February. People should know what is happening in Burundi and not let it pass-by all the other scandals and the atrocities happening in the world today. Peace.

Reference:

United Nations Security Council – ‘Report of the Secretary-General on Burundi’ (23.02.2017)

Somalia: Declaration of National Disaster (28.02.2017)

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The president has appealed to the International Community to urgently respond to the calamity in order to help families and individuals to recover from the effects of the drought disaster to avoid humanitarian tragedy.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 28, 2017 -The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, His Excellency Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmajo) has declared a National Disaster to deal with the humanitarian emergency in all areas affected by the current drought.

The president has appealed to the International Community to urgently respond to the calamity in order to help families and individuals to recover from the effects of the drought disaster to avoid humanitarian tragedy.

The president is also kindly calling on the Somali business community and Diaspora to participate in the recovery operations efforts in the affected area with the aim to mitigate the impact of drought nationwide.

The president stands ready to receive a continuous briefing on the assessment and response to the emergency.

Somalia: Drought Emergency Response (27.02.2017)

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Opinion: A 93 year old, apparently doesn’t need succession!

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The President of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe, the man who is in the psalms, who was written to stay as a leader and even be voted on after death, that is if Grace Mugabe, the first lady gets her wish. The Zanu-PF which was created by him as he mended to parties together when he got rid of a rival; so many forgets the past history of how ZANU became Zanu-PF. The Patriotic Front was sucked into the merger for the political ambition of President Mugabe, as he swallowed and got rid of Joshua Nkomo. Nkomo also lost his party as it became one party Zanu-PF.

Therefore listening to the President and leader of decades upon decades Mugabe had to say this on his 93rd birthday:

“PRESIDENT Mugabe has warned ambitious lieutenants in his party who are angling to succeed him to stop fanning divisions, saying he will not be pressured into appointing his successor” (…) “He slammed succession-driven factional divisions in Zanu-PF, called for unity in the ruling party, and reaffirmed his position that whoever would succeed him was going to be chosen by the people through an election” (Gono, Mukarati & Tshuma, 2017).

The man who will run and continue to be the kingpin, the grand master of Zimbabwe, President Mugabe will not leave the republic and the reign before his last breath. The lasting regime and the will to stay is not only for his benefit, but for his closest allies and elite. The ones who drives flash cars in Harare, who owns the banks and export resources to abroad, also the ones who sells special-made cakes, lays chips and all sort of imported goods. That is who keeps breathing air into the Zanu-PF regime and Mugabe’s continues reign.

The ones who thinks this isn’t eating he system, isn’t costing the republics coffers, the possibility for good governance and accountability are not there with a man who rules and give the rules, without following any common-sense himself. A man has used any trick possible in the book and use all sort force to gain his will.

Are now imposing him and continuing his ill-will reign with the force of his army and sometimes like in the past mercenaries or paid forces from North Korea even. Because Mugabe doesn’t believe in democracy, but in his power to reign by all means!

Also, so his family can benefit and earns wealth on his reign. The Mugabe clan must surely have become rich from all of these years. If not why would he not step down and give way for somebody else? That is because he knows that all that is created around him and his family de facto disappears the day he leaves. However, the Mugabe name will tarnish history of a liberator turned Orwellian master. Nobody foresaw the transformation, but over time he has showed more and more traits of a scrupulous leader who use any means to stay and to forge the power around him. Therefore, the ones near him and the first lady are loyal fellows with no spine. If they had spine they would be beaten by the Police in protest, getting produced in courts or starving, even lacking civil service salaries. That is the means of lacking of governance and institutions as it all is and has been all Mugabe.

So there is no surprise, that the future casket President and the one ruling into death. So why be subtle about it. That is not the need of the Mugabe regime now. They are beating civilians, detaining civilian activists and silencing the opposition. Therefore, they feel invisible to anyone who thinks they can bring down President Mugabe. Peace.

Reference:

Gono, Vincent, Mukarati, Levi & Tshuma Nduduzo – ‘NO PRESSURE ON SUCCESSOR: President speaks on party divisions, bond notes’ (26.02.2017) link: http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/no-pressure-on-successor-president-speaks-on-party-divisions-bond-notes/

Stephen Kinnock MP letter to Lord Bew on ‘Vote Leave’ media campaign called ‘BeLeave’ (14.02.2017)

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Burundi: “Menace des Subventions du Fond Mondial pour le Burundi suite au malaise au sein du Ministre de la Sarte Publique et de la Lutte contre le Sida” (08.02.2017)

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Burundi: Letter to UN – “Remplacement de Monsieur Jamal Bonamar, votre Conseiller Special sur la Resolution des conflicts y compris le Burundi” (21.02.2017)

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Cyprus: Statement Regarding the Deposition of Prime Minister Guardian767 (21.02.2017)

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Opinion: ZANU-PF continued problems with Whites, but no issues with the Chinese!

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Certainly the loans and development projects as well as the infrastructure paid by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that supports the Zimbabwean state and the regime of Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF). This under President Robert Mugabe, that has had an issues with the white people since they cut the loans and aid from the Western Hemisphere, therefore the Zanu-PF has to support and sustain the ones delivering funds to keep the state afloat. Like these to statements from President Mugabe and Finance Minister P.A. Chinama!

Mugabe’s problem with the White:

“Mugabe said in an excerpt carried by the state-run Herald newspaper : “We would want to see our people turned into entrepreneurs. Have we really become producers of our own goods, have we become the masters of our own economy, or are we still thinking of whites as the best entrepreneurs and Africans as laborers for these entrepreneurs?” (Gaffey, 2017).

Finance Minister Chinamasa on the Chinese:  

“He told a recent meeting organized by the Confederation of the Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Manicaland Chapter: “I often have local business people in my office complaining about the Chinese dominance in the country. But, my question is where are you when the Chinese come and do the same businesses in your area?  You must copy the way they are doing those businesses.” (Masekesa, 2017).

The Chinese has offered millions of dollars to ICT, Festivals, Security Firms and debt to fulfil the needed fiscal funds the Zimbabwean republic needs. The giant amount of funds as the republic needs the fresh funds as they sell resources and such to the Chinese. Therefore the join-ventures and hiring of Chinese to work in Zimbabwe comes with the agreements and loans for infrastructure. This is offers that haven’t come from the former British or American to the Zimbabwean republic. Either from other nations in the Western Hemisphere as the sanctions and others has hit the nation. Therefore the hatred towards the west and the love of the Chinese!

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The Chinese get support and love from the Zanu-PF regime, not because they are gentle and kind, that is because they give the needed support the Mugabe administration needs at this time. If let us say that all of a sudden Switzerland or Belgium gave in the same amount and also put their working squads on the outside of Bulawayo, than Chinamasa and Mugabe would sound differently.

So that Mugabe continues with the Pan-African vision while his Finance Minister knows the value of the financial and industrial power the Chinese gives the nation. Therefore the hatred for Europeans and Whites comes with the sanctions and the misgivings. Because in the past President Mugabe said this about the British:

The basic injustice of this unequal economic system does not arise from the fact that those few are white in colour, although that racial dimension certainly aggravates it, but rather from the fact that the majority were deprived and impoverished by the minority. And so, even if the present white owners of property and natural resources, the need for a socialist revolution would still remain urgent. A bourgeoisie does not cease to be exploitative merely because its colour has turned black or because it is now national rather than foreign. On this subject, I wish to express utter dismay at the bourgeois tendencies that are affecting our leadership at various levels of Government. When, for example, we established a system of local government in both rural and urban areas, we were of the strong belief that democracy would further be enhanced by giving power to the people through local councils” (Robert Mugabe, 3rd Anniversary of Independence 18th April 1983).

We can see that even in early starts of the liberation and the early years of the tenure under President Mugabe, he still was focused on the whites, it took decades before his will and tendency to blame the Whites for the issues, instead of the policies and economic framework that the Zimbabwean republic needs. Still, the troubling fact is now that White is the problem no matter what, even as the Republic has been run and the laws have come to fix the problems of inequality. The Republic struggles still with the same issue apparently that it did in the 1980s, if the President offered the problems of white entrepreneurs over other tribes in Zimbabwe.

So he will pound on the Whites, but trust me none in Zanu-PF will ever try to say anything to offend the Chinese or the ones supporting funds from China. P.A. Chinamasa and President Mugabe would not cross and bite the hands of the ones that is feeding it. That is why the same figures will address the Whites in other regard than the Chinese. So we will see if the Zimbabwean state and officials will address the Chinese differently when they stop funding their operations and their government institutions, like the Whites did. Peace.

Reference:

Gaffey, Conor – ‘EU RENEWS SANCTIONS ON MUGABE AS ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT TURNS 93’ (21.02.2017) link: http://europe.newsweek.com/robert-mugabe-birthday-zimbabwe-sanctions-559071

Masekesa, Clayton – ‘Zimbabwe: Don’t Be Jealous Of Chinese – Chinamasa’ (21.02.2017) link: http://afrika54news.com/2017/02/21/zimbabwe-dont-be-jealous-of-chinese-chinamasa/

Burundi: “2017: Journal d’un Patriote Arusha les Obstacles et les Responsabilites” (Fevrier 2017)

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