
“Bunyoni affair: life sentence requested for the former Prime Minister and seizure & sale of his “153 houses and 55 vehicles.” 30 years in prison for Désiré Uwamahoro and the other co-defendants. This is the indictment of the public prosecutor after 4 days of a marathon trial. The defendants demand “unconditional acquittal”” (Antoine Kaburahe, 09.11.2023).
I have written about the Former Burundian Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni. These words and explanations can be repeated, because it gives context to the matter. That’s why I will use them as the trial is going on and has been in works for some time now.
In Burundi there is an on-going criminal case against former Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni. A who has been loyal to the CNDD-FDD and a man that former President Pierre Nkurunziza entrusted with national security organizations.
Bunyoni has held vital roles in the Government of Burundi. In the era of th CNDD-FDD he has rose through the ranks and gotten into prominence. This has done with share brutality and state sponsored violence. That has been done on the behest of the party and with acknowledge of the ones above him.
The Burundi Human Rights Initiative Report from December 2020 describes the man like this:
“For years, Burundi’s new Prime Minister, Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, has made his presence felt behind the scenes. His professional demeanour, well-cut suits and meticulous air gave him a veneer of respectability. As his influence grew, however, he quietly cultivated members of the security forces, some of whom were notorious for killing or torturing government opponents. “He hides behind others,” said one of his former colleagues. “The crimes are committed under his complicit watch. Either he agrees to the crimes, or he closes his eyes and lets them happen.” Former colleagues described him as cunning and said he is careful to cover his tracks when it comes to human rights violations. A former official who worked closely with him in the past said he is an intelligent man, but his public persona doesn’t reveal his true character. “He had two faces,” he said. “He had a hidden face that I didn’t see; that’s his current face.” Bunyoni’s hubris and his shrewd but brutal governing style emerged in private and, along with his love of money, have irritated some powerful CNDD-FDD generals. “He’s a man without a heart, without emotion, contrary to Évariste (Ndayishimiye),” said a former CNDD-FDD official” (The Burundi Human Rights Initiative – ‘A STRANGLEHOLD ON BURUNDI’S FUTURE’ December 2020).
When you know all of this about Bunyoni, it is hard to feel sympathy or emotions towards him. Yes, he should have the same rights under the law and be held accountable. In the same regard though, he used his office to enrich himself and his family. The former Prime Minister was able to take so much properties and vehicles. That is just astonishing… and he did it on the watch of previous President Nkurunziza.
This is really showing what the CNDD-FDD is capable of. Not only the massive amount of brutality, lethal orders and other impunity done towards dissidents and activists. No, this shows what sort of possibilities are there for the ones who are in the inner-circle.
As the former appointed Prime Minister and entrusted leader. Bunyoni had a lot of prestige and power. Apparently, he used that to enlarge his wealth and his own stature. Who knows how he was capable of getting over 150 houses and over 50 vehicles. However, he did and now he has to suffer the consequences. He thought he would get away it and never be held accountable for his actions. Now the pendulum has swung his way and he cannot catch up. Neither can his closest associates, who will also face harsh judgement.
There won’t be shed many tears over this. It is just a man who stole and used the office to enrich himself. While he ordered the end of people’s lives or ensured their silence. That’s what he did and now he will possibly be entering a facility where someone knows what he did and that he was in-charge when they were sentenced. There will be many there who could want to revenge or avenge someone they know.
This PM is facing the monster he created himself and now it was his turn to be touched. Peace.