Burundi: OLUCOME – Communique de Presse – Portant sur la Priere d’Action de Grace Organisee par le Couple Presidentiel, Burundais a Ngozi (27.12.2018)

Opinion: Is the EAC slowing breaking apart, because of Nkurunziza and Kagame?

Now for the second time within two months, there been a cancellation of the East African Community – Heads of State Summit, which was scheduled for the 30th November 2018 and the second one on the 27th December 2018. Now, the EAC Secretariat says its postponed.

The reality is that this bickering, this nail-biting between neighbors aren’t creating a better space for the civilians. This is showing a disregard for the citizens and the region in general. That Bujumbura has trouble with Kigali is clear. Also, that President Paul Kagame this week alone, said Rwanda had problems with two of their neighbors, but not the two other. That means, there are more issues within the EAC, than the EAC and the Heads of State want to play.

President Pierre Nkurunziza needs enemies outside now, since he has soon killed off everyone inside his fiefdom. He wants total control and own his Republic without any oversight or questioning from abroad, that is why he is silencing the media houses and the NGOs in Burundi. The Rwandan counterparts aren’t better, just more diplomatic, but we know the truth. That both regimes are tyrannical and despotic at best. They are not democratic dreams of nations, who cares about the liberty and freedom of their citizens. Therefore, they are both playing high stakes to look good, while making the other the enemy.

This while Tanzania, where the rising repressions are happening too, President John Pombe Magufuli are already getting questioned by all opposition parties and losing aid money. As his oppressive actions, his laws and his attitude towards dissidents. While he has a better relationship with EAC Chairman and figuring out better deals with Kenya.

The EAC Chairman President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are not able to fix the issues between Nkurunziza and Kagame. He just want to look like the giant and the grand-pa everyone is supposed to trust. He speaks with double tongue, as he speaks of dialogue, but torture and arrest his opposition.

The one outside the current squabble and drama between the states are Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who clearly waiting for another big scandal back-home and also a PR Stunt to cover it up. The Kenyan have had trade wars and challenges with both Uganda and Tanzania. But during the last two years, these has been more or less solved. As Kenyatta want to be integrated and get the trade done between the Republics.

Now, as we are soon clocking into 2019. The EAC integration, the EAC as an idea is dwindling in value. As the Heads of State Summits is not valued. The EAC are not able to fix the current headaches or even talk. The Burundian government are fighting it and making the Rwandan counterpart the scare-crow. While not looking into it self and what it does. Because the President and CNDD-FDD are not willing to really support the Inter-Burundian Dialogue, where Museveni also is the sponsor of it.

Not that Kagame mind all of this, even as the Chairman of the African Union (AU). It is like he doesn’t mind, the issues with Burundi. That it doesn’t stress him, as he can do whatever and do PR stunts to make him look good abroad. Even as he is a tyrannical son-of-a-bitch. No one should undermine that fact, only the blind sees it different or the ones bought by his swagger. But I don’t get caught into that mess.

With the years of crisis in Burundi, the lack of new protocol or even measures that matters. The Burundian government have decided to pull further away. Just like they do with international bodies within the Republic. The EAC is just a body who will meddle and Nkurunziza doesn’t want that. He wants to be the overlord. That is why this is happening.

Kagame will try to look innocent, but he is far from it. He has dozens of sins and blood on his hands. Even if he haven’t done anything in this manner, even if he is the guy that has supported militias to attack outside Rwanda in the past. He has the ability, but no proof at this moment. Just a likely figure to act like this and therefore, the CNDD-FDD tries to fool itself to an enemy. While Museveni are not able to configure or even bypass these problems. Without looking like fool, who cannot even get the men to talk and discuss the matters like men. Peace.

Burundi: Communique de Presse – Reaction de la FDNB par rapport a la reduction des troupes Burundaises de l’AMISOM (23.12.2018)

Burundi: Is President Nkurunziza planning to move the capital now?

There are now reports and indications, as of the Council of Ministers have made an arrangement to work on a law, where the goal is for the political capital of Burundi to be moved from Bujumbura to second biggest city, Gitega. As it was the Second Minute from the Council of Ministers today.

This is clear indication that the President and his party are planning a move. That Pierre Nkurunziza has another giant project, than his own re-election in 2020. Something only a dictator would do, to make his mark.

What is special is that Nkurunziza had parts of his early life in Gitega and went to Secondary School there. So this would be going back to his roots. Gitega is also strategic in the geography of the Republic. But seemingly, the guess would be to get foreign donations and loans to sustain a move like this. As the Burundian government have felt the falling regard with donors. Not so strange, when several foreign NGOs are closing because they will not follow the new laws on ethnic employment standards, which the government has put on them.

Now, the CNDD-FDD and the Council of Ministers are planning a move, there are reports that the capital will be separate, that the Financial Part will still be in Bujumbura, but the political will be in Gitega. Than, its a partial move from the authorities. No matter what, this is move done on a purpose.

Either to solidify the CNDD-FDD and the Presidency with a giant symbolic project like this. If the President does this, he keeps his old promise from 2007. Maybe, at the same time, he should be able to raise funds to make the defunct airport working again. But, that would be a side-show in the schemes of things.

Gitega or Kitega Town was the town of the kings or the Mwami. That would be fitting for the Imboneza yamaho or the eternal leader of the Republic. His wishes has to be honored. Now that he is more secured, ensured the laws on his side and the all the branches of government follows him. He can move the Capital of the Kings. So, that he can be the eternal leader from where the kings reigned in the past.

It would make sense in that regard to move it there. As the Eternal Leader would follow the proud Kingdom of Burundi, even if the last king was killed there in 1972. He still would follow and continue that, as the Bujumbura would be where the money is, but the power would be in Gitega.

What is more rare, is that Bujumbura has about 497,000, while Gitega has about 22,000 citizens in it. Therefore, he sizes and vast difference is obvious. As the new capital would only be a power move and a way of diverting funds. Since the government would need massive changes and funding to make Gitega a viable political capital, like a National Assembly and other houses of the branches of government there. Which is today in Bujumbura. They would also need to inquire the allies and the ones with diplomatic mission to move, if they want to be close to sphere of power.

This is all, just mere speculations at this point. As the Parliament haven’t voted for the bill and it is in the works. The text of the law have not yet been leaked or any sort of draft either. Therefore, who knows the whole piece of the puzzle. However, this is a major move and an expensive one.

A clear message by the President and his party. That Nkurunziza are not fooling around and want it all his way. The Eternal Leader, in the town of the Kings and residing there would be more peaceful, than in Bujumbura. Peace.

Opinion: Is it the FDLR attacking Rwanda… or is the M.R.C.D?

Are we now seeing a new spike in insurgency from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as there have been in the past, which militants and rebels have entered the DRC from Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda to attack in Southern and Northern Kivu. This is something that has been going on for decades and several of militias and rebel outfits has sustained areas, where they are earning bountiful fortunes on the toils of despair in the region. That is well known, but still persists as the civilians and the public is paying the price for this.

However, this year, we have seen return of violent attacks, fatal of such inside the Rwanda. This from groups, which are connected with Rwandan nationals and supported there, earlier in the year, Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Democratique (M.R.C.D), who came as alliance between for ex-FDLR leaders, National Council for Renewal and Democracy (CNRD-UBWIYUNGE), Rwandese Revolutionary Movement (RRM and the Party for Democracy in Rwanda (PDR-IHUMURE). Who all came and was willing to attack Rwanda. That happen in June 2018, through the Burundian border at Cibitoka Province from the Kibra Forrest into the Nyungewe Forrest in Ruhengeri District. Where they caused havoc.

Now, over the weekend there is reports that across and around the border of Goma, there has been a tense situation as the FDLR/RNC have worked together and attacked the Rwandans. Killing two soldiers. These reports doesn’t match with other statements coming out.

Nilepost reports: “At least two Rwandan civilians were killed and eight injured when attackers set fire to three passenger vehicles in the southern Nyamagabe district, which borders Burundi, said a Rwandan army official. Army spokesman Innocent Munyengango said in a statement that the army is pursuing the attackers who retreated into Nyungwe Forest, a mountain rainforest area that is home to wild chimpanzees” (Nile Post News – ‘Two Killed in Attack in Rwanda, Near Border with Burundi’, 17.12.2018).

Some claims it is the FDLR in connection with Imbonerakure, the CNDD-FDD militant Youth-Wing, but that is just mere speculation at this point. There is an armed FDLR-Foca and the M.R.C.D. but how powerful they are is questionable at this point. Even as they have a history and has been able to train and mobilize troops in the past.

Why I am thinking this, because it was the alliance of the M.R.C.D that promise to assault and overthrow Kagame, not the dispatched FDLR, the FDLR-Foca has enough havoc to do inside the DRC. With this in mind, with the news of a new insurgency, it seems like the former ex-FDLR with the M.R.C.D is up to something in Rwanda. As they did earlier in the year too. Since they are following the same pattern.

What is also striking is the border tension with Goma, which is on the other side of the Rwandan Republic, which means that is a whole other group. That means they would attack into Gisenyi or similar. Because through the forest your closer to Bukavu, than to Goma. Since Gisenyi and the Nyungewe forest is far apart. Seems like there is two different operations going on. Unless, they are trying to spark a flood of attack on two borders, to stretch the army of Rwanda. However, then you need man-power to have the ability. That is another ballgame.

We cannot know yet, but there mere speculation can begin, as the Rwandan and militants are secretive organizations. Who only claim something if they have something to gain. We have to see, also if the Burundian government want to counter-claim the rumors of Imbonerakure involvement. Nevertheless, that we cannot be prove per now. Peace.

Burundi: Letter from H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to H.E. President Pierre Nkurunziza (08.12.2018)

Burundi: Declaration du FOCODE a l’occasion du 70eme Anniversaire de la Declaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme (10 decembre 1948 – 10 decembre 2018) – (10.12.2018)

Justice For Burundi: Communique – Reaction au Documentaire de la BBC Concernant les centres de Detention, de Torture er d’extermination au Burundi en ce jour Anniversaire de la Declaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme (10.12.2018)

Opinion: Nkurunziza is playing with fire… but only burning himself!

Someone has lit the matches in Bujumbura, Burundi, as President Pierre Nkurunziza haven’t only been a cowardly not attending the recent 20th Heads of State Meeting in Arusha, Tanzania of the East African Community (EAC). This is as the Inclusive Inter-Burundian Dialogue have been stalled, as the Burundi Crisis of 2015 doesn’t die down and Nkurunziza haven’t gotten rid of all his enemies of the state yet.

He has suspended several of Non-Governmental Organizations, recently closed the UN Human Rights Office there. Nkurunziza has closed both local media houses, but also international from having possibility to report from Burundi. Therefore, the amount of reports are dwindling. Also the civic space and liberty to assemble, as the State has put on news laws, which the NGOs and other acquires to follow to be able to work there.

Therefore, the reality is that Nkurunziza and the authorities are not only stifling own people by any means, he is now trying to do it on a bigger stage. He has already done what he can get rid of FNL and other opposition leaders. That is why there been Burundian people who has fled the Republic to get safe-haven in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and in Rwanda. This cannot be forgotten, that because one man wanted to create a Constitutional Crisis by having a Third Term.

The 2015 Third Term Coup, the Constitutional Court judgment is the reason for all the problems today. That the President lingers on and does whatever he cans to stay. Nkurunziza are forging fires elsewhere, he has even sent soldiers into the DRC to fight insurgency there too. That has been reported in the recent months.

While he is escalating tensions and making his own issues regional, as he blames Rwanda for trying to topple him. Paul Kagame has helped topple leaders in the DRC in the past, also topple the previous leadership in Rwanda, too. But at this very moment, it seems more like making a foreign enemy to save face internally. Nkurunziza has enough problems at home, that the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) doesn’t have to intervene. Not that Kagame is gentle nad humble, but he would have done it with perfection if had really tried. He wouldn’t have played around with toy-soldiers. He would have sent brigades, had RPGs and blown the border-regions into pieces.

However, that isn’t the case, the CNDD-FDD and Nkurunziza are playing with fire. That is maybe why he has invested such vast amount of time in the Imbonerakura, which he has even promoted the previous leader of into his cabinet. While they are joining together with soldiers and police officers, ghosting oppositions and activists. They are either detained, kidnapped or killed.

That is why, the President is trying again to make Rwanda the giant trouble, as an Enemy. As he cannot make more of his people his enemies. There aren’t enough Burundians to do so after 3 years of turmoil. He has used the Rwandan people as pawns before and said so, as there has been bad-blood between the neighbors. But at this point of time, Nkurunziza are fishing for sympathy and also leverage. As he has none in elsewhere.

That is why he had to abstain and boycott the EAC Summit of late. Because, Nkurunziza isn’t that brilliant and he needs something to sustain himself and his lack of integrity. As he cannot stall or play foolish with the dialogue anymore. We all know why, he is not interested in anything else than running himself in 2020. He wants to be President for Life. He is just doing the dialogue to up-ease and secure foreign support. However, that is dwindling and lackluster because of his own activity within his own borders.

Therefore, he needs blood and bad-blood from the neighbor to look good. Even if that makes him look stupid. As we know the motives behind it. Shield himself from local criticism, because he is fighting a foreign adversary, who he needed to retaliate against to save himself. That would be self-defense. Alas, it isn’t really, because the adversary … aren’t fighting him.

Nkurunziza is playing with fire, using matches, but not burning the hut. Pierre is only burning his fingers on the matches. Peace.

Burundi: OLUCOME – Communique de Presse – Portant Sur La Journee Internationale de Lutte Contre la Corruption Celebree le 09 Decembre de Chaque Annee (08.12.2018)