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Burundians should now bury their conflicts for ever
2006-05-31 07:48:17
By Editor
On Monday, the long awaited peace talks between the Burundi government and the last PALIPEHUTU-FNL rebel group opened in Dar es Salaam under the facilitation of South Africa.
Opening the talks, President Jakaya Kikwete urged the two sides to end more than twelve years of armed conflicts that claimed thousands of lives, wounded and displaced many people who now live in neighbouring countries as refugees.
He told them that they had two choices before them: ’To choose to heed the folly of triumphalism and drive their country to ruins, or choose to honour the toil of great sons of Africa, Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela…’
He was referring to the two who had agreed to earnestly negotiate and conclude a peace deal for a war torn country.
In August last year, Burundi unwrapped itself for a new beginning – it marked an important milestone in its effort to end, hopefully, 12 years of civil conflict between rebels from the majority Hutus, and successive governments dominated by minority Hutus.
It was when the new government under a power sharing agreement was ushered in headed by Pierre Nkurunziza, a former Hutu rebel.
This came after a new constitution was adopted and a series election held under the auspices of the AU.
Despite the boycott of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL rebel group in the power sharing arrangement, and its resolve to wage a bush war against the new authorities in Bujumbura, last year’s peace deal was nevertheless hailed as a new beginning for our neighbour whose main exports to us have been streams of refugees.
It was also the latest illustration of efforts by Africa in solving its internal conflicts, as well as the latest example where Africa’s politicians have been seen to beat their best in fighting and finally solving the manifestation of the nagging ethnicity problem.
It is our sincere hope, and we believe, that of all people of Africa and the world in general, that the current talks between the Bujumbura government and the last rebel group are concluded successfully, as each side has already displayed its enthusiasm towards that goal.
In many ways, what the peace brokers have been doing is trying to end the poignant effects of the blight of colonialism in the country that is still killing people in the Great Lakes region.
We are appalled because historically, the two clans that have been at each others throat for a long time — the Tutsis and Hutus — had seen better days.
The two had been next ’door neighbours’ who shared sorrow and joy and intermarried.
In conclusion, as we wish Burundians better and happier days ahead, it would be suffice to remind them of the words of their President, Pierre Nkuruziza in the speech at his inauguration in Bujumbura on August 26, 2005:
’I pledge to fight all ideology and acts of genocide and exclusion, to promote and defend the individual and collective rights and freedom of all persons and citizens of this country…’
If these fine words are adhered to by all parties, the future that is full of prosperity lies ahead for the nation.
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