|
International Community assistance to Burundi should enable it stand up
2007-09-11 08:49:19
By Austin Beyadi
Burundi has been engaged in a civil war marked by ethnic violence which included fighting between the Tutsi-dominated army and armed Hutu rebel groups.
The fighting caused widespread civilian casualties since the killing of democratically elected President Melchior Ndadaye in October 1993.
Ten years of armed conflict have turned Burundi into an open theatre for the illicit arms trade, whose lethality has made almost every citizen a victim.
Various African statesmen have spearheaded mediation efforts to end the Burundi conflict. The first facilitator was the former Tanzanian president, Julius Nyerere, followed by Nelson Mandela, the former South African president and currently Jakaya Kikwete.
Despite the fact that prominent figures and presidents have been involved in peace talks and efforts to ensure that people in Burundi live as one tribe, there are also some individuals who are doing their level best to change Burundians mindsets about tribal conflicts.
Peace ambassadors all over the world have been coming in and out of Burundi in order to make sure that there is no enmity among Burundians of all ethnic groups.
One of the peace ambassadors involved in the rehabilitation of the Burundians mindsets is Ambassador Risasi Mwaulanga, a Tanzania who has been trying to curb ethic hatred in Burundi for years now.
Mwaulanga, who has been promoting peace in many countries, has been travelling in conflict affected areas of Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia in efforts bring about lasting peace among the locals.
“Burundi is moving through a period of political transition that is being closely observed by those within and outside the country but there is also a need to put emphasis on unity among all ethic groups,” he says.
According to him, the country is now calm and that he has been meeting Burundian youths and teaching them how to live together as one people not as Hutus or Tutsis.
Mwaulanga says that most of the youths, who were involved in the warfare, confessed during the gatherings that they were fighting out of ignorance and that it was now time for them to wake up and live in the country as a nation and not in separate tribes.
``Most of the youths in Burundi now focus more on income generating activities,” the peace maker, who has just returned from Burundi, says adding:
``Many of them are now doing business together and are also willing to volunteer by going deep into the countryside to preach about unity to their colleagues who are in places with poor infrastructure.``
He is of a view that the welcoming of a democratically-elected president in Burundi marks the last phase on a long road which, through negotiations, transition and then elections, has led to the establishment of new political institutions aimed at sustaining the achievements so far realized.
Says he: “All these are fruits of political maturity demonstrated by the people of Burundi in choosing peace, which now extends throughout the national territory, instead of war.”
However, he notes that there were still a few areas such as rural Bujumbura and other places like Cibitoke and Bubanza that are still pockets of sporadic crimes.
Something that even Mwaulanga himself agrees with is that Burundi still needs support from the international community so as to make sure that the country enjoys lasting peace.
For instance, cancellation of debts would enable the country to devote its financial resources to development other than paying the creditor countries and institutions.
Issues to do with reconstruction, good governance, human rights and the return of refugees besides other development programmes are key priorities and that the United Nations should take the lead in supporting Burundi.
``After decades of inter-ethnic conflict, reconciliation and putting impunity to an end by ensuring accountability for all atrocities committed are critical elements in laying a sound foundation for national recovery,`` he emphasizes.
According to him, transparency is essential for reinforcing sovereignty and credibility of the government and thus maintain donor confidence and thereby promote long-term economic and social recovery and stability.
The expected influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees returning home and resettlement of the internally displaced persons also present major social, economic and security challenges, he adds.
|
