Why We Must Rescue Burundi From Civil War
By ADHERE CAVINCE
Kenya Star Editorial
Jan. 01, 2016, 5:00 am
The Entebbe meeting of Burundi warring groups aimed at finding sustainable solution to the political impasse in the country is a positive development. Coming after an estimated 240 deaths and another 200,000 displacements, the arrangement offers the much needed opportunity to stitch back peace and security into Burundi’s socioeconomic and political fabric.
The talks also present provident window for the international community to offer creative ideas to pull back Burundi from the brink of civil war. In this respect, it is laudable that representatives from diverse actors as European Union, United States, UN Security Council, African Union and the East African Community attended the preparatory meeting convened by Yoweri Museveni.
Though it remains sacrosanct that it is up to Burundians to cement sustainable peace in their country, history has shown that this can be a toll order. The country has twice descended into civil war with devastating ramifications. With the current political turmoil seen by observers to increasingly assume ethnic orientation, time is of the essence.
While Burundi remains the theatre of bloodletting for now, the happenings therein carries a number of implications for the region and the continent at large. The refugees fleeing the violence into neighbouring countries take with them a panoply of socio-cultural and economic effects; as seen during the migrant crisis in Europe.
Secondly, based on the treatment and cruelty experienced during the violence, traumatized young people can be vulnerable to the ideology of radicalization and violent extremism; a phenomenon breeding terror squads whose debilitating effects in the region is well documented.
Thirdly, the whole conflict in Burundi was sparked by the April 2015 controversial decision by President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third term, a move that opposition parties and a section of the international community characterized as an affront against the country’s constitution. Nkurunziza was later declared the victor in the July 2015 elections which were boycotted by the opposition.
This feeling of Nkurunziza that without him there would not be 2016 for Burundi is misplaced as it is retrogressive. It flies in the face of African Union’s Agenda 2063 in which the continent hopes to be peaceful, united and prosperous by the year 2063. The third and fourth aspirations of the blueprint speaks of a peaceful and secure Africa where good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law abound. This dream risks scatter if the strongman syndrome like what is unfolding in Burundi persists in Africa.
Finally, a war torn Burundi is no good news to the East African Community integration agenda. With a limping economy that is anchored on Agriculture, and is 42 per cent supported by foreign aid, Burundians demonstrated great resilience, more than doubling the per capita gross national income from $130, in 2005 to $280 in 2013. Such gains could easily be rolled back in the wake of further violence; making Burundi less desirable as a player for the EAC agenda. The country therefore needs a responsive leadership that prioritises human and political security and economic advancement in order to consolidate its place as an enviable partner for the region’s integration.
These factors working in concert behoves the region and the world to push for a speedy resolution of the conflict in Burundi. As the warring parties troop to Arusha, Tanzania from January 6 for negotiations proper, an immediate deliverable would be cessation of indiscriminate attacks on innocent Burundians. This should be followed by genuine discussions on how to put back the country onto the pedestal of sustainable peace, and people-driven inclusive governance.
The writer is graduate student of International Studies at the Institute of Diplomacy & International Studies, University of Nairobi. ocadhere@gmail.com
Kenya Star Editorial
Jan. 01, 2016, 5:00 am
The Entebbe meeting of Burundi warring groups aimed at finding sustainable solution to the political impasse in the country is a positive development. Coming after an estimated 240 deaths and another 200,000 displacements, the arrangement offers the much needed opportunity to stitch back peace and security into Burundi’s socioeconomic and political fabric.
The talks also present provident window for the international community to offer creative ideas to pull back Burundi from the brink of civil war. In this respect, it is laudable that representatives from diverse actors as European Union, United States, UN Security Council, African Union and the East African Community attended the preparatory meeting convened by Yoweri Museveni.
Though it remains sacrosanct that it is up to Burundians to cement sustainable peace in their country, history has shown that this can be a toll order. The country has twice descended into civil war with devastating ramifications. With the current political turmoil seen by observers to increasingly assume ethnic orientation, time is of the essence.
While Burundi remains the theatre of bloodletting for now, the happenings therein carries a number of implications for the region and the continent at large. The refugees fleeing the violence into neighbouring countries take with them a panoply of socio-cultural and economic effects; as seen during the migrant crisis in Europe.
Secondly, based on the treatment and cruelty experienced during the violence, traumatized young people can be vulnerable to the ideology of radicalization and violent extremism; a phenomenon breeding terror squads whose debilitating effects in the region is well documented.
Thirdly, the whole conflict in Burundi was sparked by the April 2015 controversial decision by President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third term, a move that opposition parties and a section of the international community characterized as an affront against the country’s constitution. Nkurunziza was later declared the victor in the July 2015 elections which were boycotted by the opposition.
This feeling of Nkurunziza that without him there would not be 2016 for Burundi is misplaced as it is retrogressive. It flies in the face of African Union’s Agenda 2063 in which the continent hopes to be peaceful, united and prosperous by the year 2063. The third and fourth aspirations of the blueprint speaks of a peaceful and secure Africa where good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law abound. This dream risks scatter if the strongman syndrome like what is unfolding in Burundi persists in Africa.
Finally, a war torn Burundi is no good news to the East African Community integration agenda. With a limping economy that is anchored on Agriculture, and is 42 per cent supported by foreign aid, Burundians demonstrated great resilience, more than doubling the per capita gross national income from $130, in 2005 to $280 in 2013. Such gains could easily be rolled back in the wake of further violence; making Burundi less desirable as a player for the EAC agenda. The country therefore needs a responsive leadership that prioritises human and political security and economic advancement in order to consolidate its place as an enviable partner for the region’s integration.
These factors working in concert behoves the region and the world to push for a speedy resolution of the conflict in Burundi. As the warring parties troop to Arusha, Tanzania from January 6 for negotiations proper, an immediate deliverable would be cessation of indiscriminate attacks on innocent Burundians. This should be followed by genuine discussions on how to put back the country onto the pedestal of sustainable peace, and people-driven inclusive governance.
The writer is graduate student of International Studies at the Institute of Diplomacy & International Studies, University of Nairobi. ocadhere@gmail.com
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