Burundi: President Nkurunziza plans to consolidate all power, by all means now!

That earlier this week that President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, that made a decree where he started that the Constitution will be reviewed, in a way to make sure he can continue to stay in power. The CNDD-FDD has no plans of leaving any successor. As the reports of the repression and the centralized control of the state, is all in the hands of the President.

The Inter-Burundian Inclusive Dialogue, which former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mpaka is leading, has been told how to travel and who to contact. There many parties and many CSO/NGOs who hasn’t participated. Therefore, the dialogue has been flawed and made sure to fit the paradigm of Nkurunziza and his allies. Not to try to understand the oppression and the harassment of the opposition. Who either flees, are assassinated or kidnapped. There are so many Ex-FAB and former leaders of opposition parties who has been killed since 2015. This is clear motivation to consolidate power!

There is also revealed this week that a memo from 24th January 2017, that all exports from Burundi are taken extra funds directly to Nkurunziza. This being done that the exporters are paying 2600 BIF to the Burundian Central Bank, while the 1000 BIF goes directly to Nkurunziza and the rest goes to the Exporters after the currency are converted. So the exporters get 1600 BIF when converting, while the rest of the balance enters the pockets of Nkurunziza. Which, is such a wonderful way of doing transactions. Certainly, the foreign companies must feel they entertaining their totalitarian master for the resources and minerals, by doing this!

The Same government have had questions when the European Union didn’t want to pay the salaries of AMISOM brigades are paying their salaries and transferred funds through CECAD (COOPERATIVE D’EPARGNE ET DE CREDIT POUR L’AUTO-DEVELOPPEMENT). This as the FNDB (La Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi) or the National Defense Force of Burundi are paying their salaries through CECAD, which doesn’t making sense, other than it can be another scheme to sting the monies away from the soldiers who serve in Somalia on behalf of the FNDB and the CNDD-FDD. Therefore, the Burundian government clearly doesn’t care how they are misusing funds.

Just as this dossier proves the CECAD and AMISOM connection:

This triple “dossier NDONDEZA” has an unusual characteristic. While all the previous cases seem to be linked to the crackdown on the protests against the third term in office of President Pierre Nkurunziza or have not been clarified in their motives, this one is related to a mafia system and economic interests. Alexis NGABONZIZA used to manage a sort of “Banque Lambert“[2] and lent money to Burundian soldiers that want to pay bribes so as to be added on lists of participants in peacekeeping missions in Somalia and the Central African Republic (AMISOM and MINUSCA). The role of Alexis NGABONZIZA was even more important. Not only did he lend to the soldiers but he also would also transfer that money to the high ranked military authorities involved in this mafia through their “principal commissioner” and could make sure his clients were on the lists of selected candidates. Alexis NGABONZIZA disappeared when he had an appointment with Lea NZEYIMANA, “the commissioner”, at Army Headquarters. He disappeared at the same time as his sibling Ferdinand HAVYARIMANA who had accompanied him. Corporal-chef Jean NDAYIZEYE, an agent of the Presidential Guard BSPI[3], and a friend of Mr. Alexis NGABONZIZA, had paid a bribe to return to Somalia. He also disappeared while responding to an appointment with Léa NZEYIMANA at the Army Headquarters” (Ndondeza, 2017).

These are just three common outcomes and perspectives on the volatile crisis in Burundi, where they are lacking petrol and even foreign exchange, this is all because of the sanctioned importers of petrol is only two now. Which also, makes the arrangement from the state to cronies, instead of serving the public. But most of the business is to supply the President and his men with funds. If that is questioned, than they silence them.

Therefore, at this moment, the idea that the inclusive dialogue is worth anything in Burundi, is a pipe-dream, as even the ones working in the system can suddenly vanish or disappear. Just like the ones working for the scheme inside the CECAD and the salary system of the Army. This here is just another evidence of the Nkurunziza government who doesn’t care about governance or about their legitimacy. As they are reviewing the Constitution and the handpicked appointments are clearly working on the notion of giving way to the President. Just like Constitutional Court did when he did get the possibility to run for a third time. Now he is preparing a fourth term and at the same consolidating more power. Not trying to dialogue, as Mpaka and the EAC has seriously just looked away from all the transgressions and violations done in Burundi.

There isn’t any reports or revelations that proves that he cares about democracy or about justice. The justice is made for his will and his administration. This government clearly doesn’t care about 299 in the 2005 Constitution, “No procedure or revision may be retained if it infringes of the national unity, the cohesion of the Burundian People, the secularity of the State, the reconciliation, the democracy or integrity of the territory of the Republic”. These words and law apparently doesn’t mean anything to Nkurunziza, who could without any question appoint a commission to review the constitution.

With the frauds, the schemes, the kidnapping, the killings and the lacking interference in the Inter-Burundian dialogue, the state of affairs is dire and the world is looking away. They are giving faith in the EAC who is not pushing or trying to intervene. They are letting Benjamin Mpaka being told how to act and who to talk to. They are not giving him the tools or the will to pursuit an honest negotiations. As Nkrurunziza is clearly not interested in giving way or stepping down. President Nkurunziza will use his power, his army and his control to silence, or even make the opposition stop. Stop them by all means, the courts, the intimidation or even assassinate them.

The United Nations, their accords and the peacekeeping missions is flawed, powerless as Burundian authorities are using all means at their disposal to stay in power. Therefore, the world should listen to this: “Jérèmie Ngendakumana, spokesperson for the National Council for the Respect of Arusha Agreement (CNARED) says it is not the time the constitution has been amended. “Burundians are not calm and not ready for the amendment. They are gripped by fear following the murders observed on a daily basis, kidnapping cases, forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests,” says Ngendakumana” (…) “The former chairman of the ruling party says the amendment of the constitution aims at overriding the Arusha peace agreement. “Pierre Nkurunziza was elected for his first presidential term in 2005 thanks to the Arusha Agreement. Then, he wants to review the constitution with the main objective of remaining in the power,” he says” (…) “Tatien Sibomana, an opposition politician, says the CNDI report does not require action from Burundians but rather from members of the CNDD-FDD, to override the Arusha agreement. He says the opinions expressed in the CNDI report are nothing new. “All the opinions expressed were prepared by the ruling party in 2013, when the draft constitution law failed to be adopted in the National Assembly,” he says” (Uwimana, 2017).

This voices should be heard and taken notice of, these are the ones suffering and seeing the aggressive and totalitarian regime under President Nkurunziza. They see, what other can also see. That Nkurunziza are only trying to forge his power and find ways of getting rid of the ones who doesn’t want him there. Therefore, the dialogue and commission, together with all schemes is to facilitate and make the funds to stay in power. Not to make the Burundian republic developed. Peace.

Reference:

Ndondeza – ‘Enforced disappearance of Alexis NGABONZIZA, Ferdinand HAVYARIMANA and Corporal-Chef Jean NDAYIZEYE’ (03.03.2017) link:http://ndondeza.org/statement-focode-0032017-march-3rd-2017/

Uwimana, Diane – ‘‘No term limit, amend constitution,’ says commission for national dialogue’ (13.05.2017) link:http://www.iwacu-burundi.org/englishnews/no-term-limit-amend-constitution-says-commission-for-national-dialogue/

RDC: “Crimes crapuleux et Violation constante des libertes et droits fondamentaux en RDC par le president Joseph Kabila” (13.05.2017)

Bukedea district: NRM Government neglect to another level, they are stealing from their starving citizens!

Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”Harry Truman (Special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, August 8, 1950).

Certainly, the National Resistance Movement and their government doesn’t seem to care how they look. None of their pledges or even written letters to the Local Government matters. Not even in the midst of famine and starvation. You would think that a government and their agencies had sense of keeping their promises to the ones who needs the most basic in life – as their plates are empty after droughts and bad governance. Therefore, the NRM has no sense, when the Bukedea district are reacting that their promised food relief is less; than promised from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda and his department. Certainly, this is disrespecting the people and the citizens of Bukedea. Take a look!

Mike Okwii, the district secretary for health and social services wants the matter investigated expeditiously before they can distribute what they have received. “According to the letter signed by the commissioner of disaster and preparedness, Bukedea was supposed to get 800 bags of posho and 400 bags of beans. But the district has received only 400 bags of posho and 50 bags of beans, which is shocking. So for us at the district leadership, we have decided not to distribute this food. Not until when OPM delivers all the food items”, he said. Okwii confirmed that as of now, nobody has given them any response as to why the Office of the Prime Minister delivered consignments that have fewer supplies that what was declared. “Nobody has given us the right answer why they delivered less food compared to what is on the delivery note. The minister for Teso Affairs is going to follow the matter because you can imagine the minister came to Bukedea to allocate food to the sub-counties. Little did she know that she allocated food which is not even there”, he added (URN, 2017).

The reason for the disrespect is staggering as the reports of termites and insects to survive, proves the lacking governance and upkeep of institutions. Also, the agricultural sector has been left behind, as the irrigation and thinking of how use water in farming. Certainly, the food relief is a way of making sure the people eat while they wait for next season and possible time to start farming again. These in regions that has been hard hit and the government had been warned by FAO and FEWSNET, so these reports should have forewarned them.

Food is required besides the medication. If someone is sick, the first treatment is food; medicine works well on a well fed body,” said Dr. Chebitai” (New Vision, 2017). Therefore, with the knowledge that the state still has the capacity to not deliver what so needed and necessary is not only a theft, but taken food of the plates of those who starve. That the NRM has the audacity to this proves how they can easily neglect their citizens. Even taking away their first treatment, that is the level of disappointment, the ruling regime can to do their own. Peace.

Reference:

New Vision – ‘Parliament staff donate food items to Teso’ (07.05.2017) link:http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1453187/parliament-staff-donate-food-items-teso

RDC: Communique Officiel de la Presidence de la Republique (13.05.2017)

RDC: Communique du Conade (12.05.2017)

RDC: Communique du Rassamblement (12.05.2017)

Burundi: Commission Nationale de Dialogue Inter-Burundais – Communique de Presse (12.05.2017)

Association of Uganda Tour Operators Ltd: Sudden Increment in Rwanda Gorilla Permit Fees (08.05.2017)

Burundi: Décret 100/85 du 5 mai 2017 portant nomination des Membres du Conseil National de la Communication (05.05.2017)

In the Teso Region they are eating termites to survive the famine!

There are something deeply wrong, so sincerely wrong when the citizens doesn’t get needed food relief and have to eat termites and insects to survive. This is the state of the famine now in Teso Region, in Katakwi, Amuria, Bukedea and Kaberamaido district.

Mr Robert Okitoi, the Amuria District council chairperson, said “The situation is bad, people are now eating termites. I think the government should just declare a state of emergency for the regions of Teso, Karamoja and Lango.” (NTV Uganda, 01.06.2017). On the 26th April 2017 the Parliament has passed a motion to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Uganda, but the President and the State House has not done anything about it.

Still, a local farmer wrote a piece to the Chimp Reports that has some valuable assessments:

The current hunger in Teso has largely been attributed to drought, while this assertion may hold some truths; there is increasingly evidence that the Ministry of Teso Affairs has not done its part. Hunger in Teso is as a result of both internal and external factors. For many years, the region has been experiencing declining productivity and this was recently worsened by drought. For districts like Ngora, Bukedia and Kumi, land fragmentation has heavily affected productivity” (…) “Clearly besides drought, Teso food systems are in a crisis and our expectation was that the Ministry of Teso affairs working with other stakeholders would work to address this problem. Our view is that hunger should be among the ‘affairs’ that Ministry of Teso Affairs should be engaged in.Agriculture remains a major livelihood for our people in Teso and therefore we require urgent response from Ministry of Teso Affairs on its plans to help our people get out of the current hunger crisis”(Akorikin, 2017).

This here proves that the drought is just the last piece of the straw in a bigger problem, that even the State Ministry has not been in-charge and had the oversight of the Teso Region. There are lacking the support they need. Still, the government still have done something now and then. Like this one relief to Kaberamaido district: “Kaberamaido district has finally received 12, 000 kilograms of relief food from government valued at Shillings 33 million. Kaberamaido is among the districts battling a severe food crisis resulting from crop failure due to prolonged drought. The most affected areas in the district are Ochero, Bululu, Kobulubulu, Kaberamaido, and Apapai sub counties. With over 5,000 households facing starvation representing about half of the total population in the district, the 12,000 kilograms of flour delivered is far from solving the food crisis” (Odongo, 2017). That means on the 30th April 2017, the government delivered 12.000kgs of flour that is estimated to be 231,000 citizens in the district alone. Therefore, you don’t have to be rocket scientist to know that this food relief to the one district isn’t enough…

The minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Hilary Onek, has offered a bit of advice to the hunger-stricken; stop selling the little food you have left. Onek said the weather has become so unreliable for Ugandans to hold on to the little hope for better yields. “They should consider family needs first before selling all the food. Districts like Lira had a lot of food but it [food] was sold to traders from Kenya, South Sudan and even Rwanda because people want money,” he said in an interview. Asked whether government would consider banning the sale of food to outsiders, Onek said they wouldn’t, in the spirit of the East African Community. “That is not an option we will consider; we only want people to behave responsibly to take care of their family needs before they sell all the food,” he said” (UMDF, 2017).

So now the Minister Onek gives advice to the impoverished citizens, so that they are careful with their food stocks, as the relief of the districts are not up-to par. Therefore, that they didn’t stock the extra foods and now they tell the families to take of it. The government could have used their resources and built food-stocks, instead of living hand to mouth. The small-time farmers in the Teso-Region certainly, needs more than fear of selling what they don’t have, they need support and food relief.

The state also has to facilitate the farmers, not in Operation Wealth Creation or Jerry-Can irrigation, but real projects, storage of food-stocks and recreate farmers Co-Ops in the districts and sub-counties to collectively earn and work together to get better yields and also productivity in general. But that isn’t a scheme and way the National Resistance Movement can corrupt or thieve the funds from. Therefore, that will not happen and is the reason why the similar institutions are gone during the decades of President Museveni.

The Teso Region and these district needs help, the man-made famine together with the drought that has worsen it. So the Government has to charge and actually make a difference, not just thieve monies away from Kampala. Peace.

Reference:

Akorikin, Francis – ‘OPINION: Government Should Review the Relevance of Ministry of Teso Affairs’ (05.05.2017) link: https://www.chimpreports.com/opinion-government-should-review-the-relevance-of-ministry-of-teso-affairs/

Odongo, Ronald – ‘Kaberamaido Receives 12,000 KGs of Food Relief’ (30.04.2017) link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/govt-delivers-12000-kilograms-of-posho-worth-ugx-33m-to-famine-hit-residents

Uganda Media Development Foundation (UMDF) – ‘HILARY ONEK TO HUNGER VICTIMS: DON’T SELL FOOD’ (01.05.2017) link: https://www.umdf.or.ug/?q=content/hilary-onek-hunger-victims-don%E2%80%99t-sell-food