


Burundi: Communique du FNL Relatif au Vote de ce 17 Mai 2018 (17.05.2018)









Ten women and 11 children were among the victims of the attack by unidentified armed men on the village of Ruhamagara, in Cibitoke Province.
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 15, 2018 – Highlighting the rising tension following a recent deadly attack on a village in Burundi that left 26 civilians dead, UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein on Tuesday expressed concern about a possible upsurge in violence during the run-up to Thursday’s controversial constitutional referendum.
Ten women and 11 children were among the victims of the attack by unidentified armed men on the village of Ruhamagara, in Cibitoke Province, some 60 kilometres north-west of Burundi’s capital Bujumbura at around 22:00 hours last Friday.
“There are very differing accounts of whom the attackers may have been, and what the motive was,” said Zeid. “It may have been political – designed to impact on the referendum – or it may have been carried out for other reasons, including revenge. Local residents have reported the men wore military uniforms, but this does not necessarily indicate who they were. Either way, in this febrile atmosphere, it is a very dangerous development. Burundi is awash with rumours, political negotiations are deadlocked, and tensions are rising sharply in the wake of this attack, with many dreading what may happen during and after Thursday’s referendum.”
Zeid took note of the authorities’ announcement that they are launching an investigation and urged them to ensure it is transparent and effective. He also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of Friday’s attack on Ruhamagara.
“Because of the constant stream of violations over the past three years, and this extremely controversial and divisive referendum, the actions of the authorities are viewed with considerable mistrust by a sizeable segment of the population,” Zeid said. He noted that a significant number of opposition politicians and others calling for a ‘No’ vote have been targeted for arbitrary arrests and detention by security forces, sometimes with the assistance of the notorious Imbonerakure group which supports the Government.
“Everyone will suffer if Burundi explodes into violence during or after the referendum,” the UN Human rights Chief said. “I urge the Government to live up to its responsibilities to provide the people of Burundi with peace, security and a fully functioning democracy where everyone’s human rights are respected, and the rule of law is applied equally to all. It has very little time to turn this around. While the opposition has much to oppose, it must also avoid any actions that could add fuel to the fire.”





Just as we are in the final week before the Referendum vote, which is to make sure a secure, life Presidency for Pierre Nkrurunziza and for his party CNDD-FDD. On Friday there has been a massacre in the Cibitoke Province, Buganda Commune close to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they youth-militia has had extensive training of late. If that is escalated this weekend. That is just speculation, but the Imbonerakure, has been involved in violent activity, community policing and harassment of the ones opposing the regime.
Reports from Cibitoke in April 2018:
“The first group composed mostly of those from the commune commune went on patrol to the rivière river, while the other group composed mostly of the commune went to patrol the border with Rwanda. Questioned by our source if these paramilitary activities are endorsed by the provincial administration of cibitoke, these imbonerakure have informed that they do nothing without the administration knowing. You will also know that on Tuesday, around 14 pm, the imbonerakure of the localité locality, mostly composés, made their entrance to the forêt forest by the commune commune. At the present time, according to our source, the head of the paramilitary training in mugira is a demobilized man named Jean Marie Ndayishimiye. The latter says that they are being prepared to counter imminent rebel attacks from Rwanda. The latest information collected by our source says that since 10 April 2018 these paramilitary training has been very intensive on a land of LA, Colline Hill, zone area of the commune commune. The names of those who take the lead in these training are: Edmond Maniragaba, Schadrack Nganyirimana, Delachance Mbonihankuye and Daniel Ndirakubagabo. The trainer in these paramilitary training exercises is a soldier from la province under the command of his superiors” (Agakemanyi, 13.04.2018).
We know that the truth will be hard to expose as the reports coming from VOA and other agencies are arrested on their way to travel there or even losing their equipment, as the government trying to seal it off. As they are claiming terrorist did the deed. However, that is uncertain, as this area has been a massive training-ground for the Imbonerakure, where the local authorities accepted their actions.
Some claims are these are from a group of para-military from the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, with no possibility of verifying that. At this point it can be either that or the Imbonerakure. Because, both parties are likely to do this. What is suspicious is that the authorities are not disclosing what sort of group that would be or what their mission in Burundi are. They not like insurgents from DRC who goes into Uganda, which has roots in Kisoro for instance. Therefore, the reasons for the sudden deaths and massacre. Is even more questionable. As to who did it and what the state is covering up.
It is not long ago, on the 5th May 2018, the imbonerakure tortured 5 men in the province for their willingness to vote now in the 17th May polls. These was opposition supporters who was taken by the militia and taught a lesson by the state sponsored youth-militia of the province. Therefore, they have already shown that they could hurt civilians. Therefore, could they go further?
I don’t have the answer, but that wouldn’t be impossible. That what is worrying, if the state financed militia, which has recently promoted the former leader into the Cabinet. He went from leading the militia into becoming the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that being Ezéchiel Nibigira. Therefore, we know that the Imbonerakure, is now vital. If it wasn’t so, the President wouldn’t have appointed the former leader from there. Peace.




You know that Kenya Railways Corporation sucks, you know that the Standard Gauge Railways project is fatigued. As the circulations of the Secrecy Agreement that all employees has to sign onto. Which states that the employees cannot tell the truth about the operations or the works of the corporation.
They expect all employees to be strictly confidential about all matters connected with the SGR and the Kenya Railways Corporation. You are not allowed “to record, store copy any information or violating the SGR Operations”. Therefore, the SGR and Corporation are clearly muffling its staff. This includes “participating in negative articles, writings or videoes or photoes on social media or Facebook or Youtube and etc. that involving SGR Operation”. So when the company goes this far, it says how dire the operations are, they cannot be golden, but instead grim.
This is happening after the state orders all Containers from Mombasa to be put on the SGR and also pushing for the public to use the rails. However, it is still not profitable. As the project has been costly and also embarrassing as the grace period for the loans are soon hitting the government. Meaning, the huge loans for the infrastructure investment comes to roost. Therefore, the needs for revenue is even more important. To patch the hurt, before moving on to other projects.
That is why these sort of leaks and showing how far the Company takes it. Shows how bleak the situation is. When they have to muffle and silence the employees. Since the Secrecy Agreement has Chinese signs on them, it could be given by the tendered company, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which have the 4 extensions tenders to the previous built railway from Mombasa to Nairobi. Therefore, this could be the direct interference of the contractor CCCC, that would explain why the agreement wrote Youtube as Yutube. Because, that is a site that is banned in China. So, if the CCCC employees wouldn’t know about it and its spelling it would make sense.
Because if the employee was to break the agreement, they would meet the SGR discipline, whatever that means. If that would be termination or put on leave, its hard to know, since their protocols are not out and the KRC/CCCC are not that open on this matter. I am sure they didn’t want the Contracts into the public sphere anyway. Since this is disgusting silencing of the workers and taking away their rights as citizens. This is all communications outside the operations is not allowed. This is not about keeping away company secrets, but keep negative social media impact of the company. However, now that the agreement is out.
I can assure the negative articles will come, not only that the state has order transports of containers directly, that its not profitable and not a wholesome company, instead its a mismanaged State Operated Enterprise (SoE). Surely, the Kenyans should feel betrayed, as they are silenced by outside forces, who are building railways in their republic. The CCCC is acting as kings and they are the servants on the spot. Not allowed to talk or express opinions, just work on the clock and shut-up. That is initially what the contract is saying. Peace.




The Constitutional Court on the 4th May 2015 accepted the third term on the reason, that the first term where the President was elected at a temporary measure by the National Assembly and not by Universal Suffrage, hence, the legality of the Second Presidential Elections and the third term. This was done to secure that and establish reasons for justification to do so. Even if that altered the Arusha Agreement, by a technicality.
Now on the 17th May 2018, the CNDD-FDD are taking a step further, beyond the measures of 2015, so that ahead of 2020, the President can run again and again. Rule indefinitely. Without any legal provision standing in his way. The ones that had an issue 2015, should have issues now in 2018. But their voices are not heard. Many have during the previous years been silenced, detained or exiled. That is a mere fact of the architect of destruction, that this President has resided over.
Pierre Nkurunziza and his party is planning to become a life-President without any questions or anyone trying to topple him. His rules are law, his acts are holy and his words is more valuable than alle the treasures of the world. Nkurunziza is securing his own position, therefore, the lack of progress or lack of effort in the Inter-Burundian Dialogue, where the regime has handpicked the parties and the times for talks. Where opposition parties are handpicked and their voices not really heard. Why should they be heard? They are just obstacles ahead and not worth anything. If Nkurunziza got his wish, they would just disappear or go into exile, instead of bickering over his republic, that he owns.
It’s not like he has a fantastic track-record, as the in July 2010 he got 91,6% of the voters. Also, in the third term elections of 2015, after getting the Constitutional Court Approval, he got 69,41 % on the 24th July 2015. This after many opposition leaders was hunted down, killed, detained or exiled. Therefore, no real election in 2015. The coming in May 2018 is more of the same, the result will in favor of the President and the results will be a formality, as expressions against is illegal and media is hounded too. Not just foreign media houses, but local radio headquarters are burned and such.
Here is the Arusha Agreement from 2000:
“She/he shall be elected for a term of five years, renewable only once. No one may serve more than
two presidential terms” Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi (28 Aug 2000).
Just like the Arusha Agreement, the 2005 Constitution Article 96 says this:
“The President of the Republic is elected by universal direct suffrage for a term of five
years renewable one time” (Burundi Constitution, 2005).
So, the Referendum now, is only made for Nkurunziza, not for the betterment of the Republic. It is just so his vicious attack on the Republic can continue, where he is fighting the voices of freedom, liberty and justice. As he is consolidating all powers and securing himself the power for life. Nothing else is in the background. He has done it step-by-step, used all tools at his disposal and has no other plan.
The Statement from the Council of Ministers said this in this regard:
“The Commission has therefore examined the constitutional provisions that are the source of imperfections while keeping unchanged, the provisions that have the merits and democratic values that guarantee stability and peace, the protection of the political opposition, the protection of the rights and interests of minorities, the protection of the independence of certain institutions and, above all enhancing the legitimacy of the constitutional order. As the main proposals of the Commission, it is proposed a semi-presidential and semi-parliamentary regime, its main characteristics being that the head of state is elected by direct universal suffrage with his own prerogatives, who shall not be deposed unless high treason, with a Prime Minister Head of Government and responsible before Parliament and from the parliamentary majority. The President will be assisted by a Vice-President of Ethnicity and Political Party different from those of the President of the Republic. With regard to the executive power, amendments are proposed to take into account the new constitutional system proposed. Regarding the legislative power, provisions have been identified to be amended in order to comply with the Treaty of the East African Community, the principle of absolute majority voting except for organic laws, resolutions, decisions and important recommendations where it is proposed a majority of three fifths” (MEDIA RELEASE CONSECUTIVE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY CABINET MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 24th OF OCTOBER 2017, 25.10.2017).
However, it is ironic, that the CNDD-FDD talk of democratic values, while making sure their only leader, the fountain of honor and the greatest leader ever in Burundian history Pierre Nkurunziza, can dismantle the Arusha Agreement and change the Constitution to fit his narrative. That is not for democratic principals. That is lie, they know its a lie, but they say it so they are not getting detained, silenced or into exile. They are pleasing their master and his agenda.
The parts proposed amendment says: “No procedure of revision may be retained if it infringes the national unity, the cohesion of the Burundian People, the secularity of the State, the reconciliation, the democracy or the integrity of the territory of the Republic.”. Also adds the Presidential terms from 2 to 4 terms. Therefore, the National Unity, means the unity under the banner of the President and no one else.
To say otherwise at this point is naive. Is to be under a rock and forgetting what the authorities has been doing to keep him on top, while the rest is his minions.
The elections and referendum on 17th May 2018 is for securing life presidency, not to make sure the republic is better off with better democratic values or just laws. That is all lie and managed language to make sure the ones who don’t know what the CNDD-FDD are doing and how they doing it. There will surely be troubles for the ones voting no, for the ones not contributing funds for the referendum and also all the madness they have put in play.
So now, expect that Nkurunziza is a life President, the Imboneza yamaho, the almighty for ruler of Burundi. That is the end-game. There will be more referendums for Nkurunziza, when he is officially done with the fourth term or starting it. He will make sure the public changes it again. This is what we have seen with his idol Museveni. Nothing new here, just another republic.
This is just sad. Peace.