Summary
Burundi Watch Update
8-14 May 2017
Despite the alarming human rights situation prevailing in Burundi and
the unresolved crisis, the ruling CNDD-FDD party and the
governement of Burundi are committed to change the constitution to
allow President Pierre Nkurunziza have more presidential terms.
Term limits in Burundi again
While the Commission for the inter-Burundian dialogue completed
its mission and presented a report to President Nkurunziza on 12
May 2017, another commission for the amendment of the
constitution was being appointed the same day by the Presidential
decree n°100/89 of 12 May 2017.
In a statement, the President of the commission for the interBurundian dialogue, Bishop Justin Ndayisaba stated that the aforesaid
commission consulted an estimated number of 26,000 Burundians
during its mandate running from October 2015 to May 2017. He
argued that the core proposals were, among other things, the
necessity of amending the constitution. He also suggested that
majority of Burundians demand the suppression of term limits
although some opposes it.
Thus the appointment of the commission assigned to propose the
project of amendment of the constitution is a decisive step towards
the amendment of the constitution.
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It is worth recalling that the current crisis originates from the
controversial third term and President Pierre Nkurunziza has already
announced his intention to run for the fourth term in 2020.
China visit to Burundi leaves questions
During the official visit of the vice president of China, Mr. Li
Yuanchao in Burundi, the government of permanently claimed it had
restored peace and security; and presented several China- supported
initiatives including the ongoing construction of the Presidential
palace in Gasenyi in the outskirts of Bujumbura city, as a cape in
point
Picture1. Vice Presidents of Burundi and China visiting the family of the Director of the Conficius
Institute in Bujumbura. Credit: Burundi government on twitter
The Chinese visit is widely regarded as the support to a government
that is accused of violating human rights amid ongoing state of
insecurity. In the same vein, as Burundi prepares for the 33rd ACP-EU
joint parliamentary assembly to be held in St Julian’s, Malta, on 19-21
June 2017, on 9 May 2017, the parliament of Burundi proposed a
resolution demanding that sanctions taken in line to article 96 of the
Cotonou Accord be lifted since the situation is Burundi is back to
normal.
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Burundi in international fora
Burundi situation was debated during the 60th ordinary session of the
African Commission of human and people’s rights held in Niamey in
Niger.
Burundi was also discussed during the UN working group on
enforced or involuntary disappearances held in Geneva on 12 May
2017. A delegation of 4 human rights defenders engaged the working
group saying about 900 people ‘disappeared’ during the two past
years. The Ndondeza campaign1 initiated by the human rights NGO,
FOCODE which is aimed at exposing the cases of enforced
disappearances has documented more than 150 cases so far.
According to the FOCODE President, Pacifique Nininahazwe,
hundreds of families are affected by the disappearance of a member,
but very few speak out for they fear retaliation since abductions and
enforced disappearances are perpetrated by security forces and
Imbonerakure militiamen. As FOCODE raises the seriousness of the
situation, Nininahazwe encourages families of the victims to share
information because the silence of the victims benefits to
perpetrators.
The Delegation of Burundi civil society at the working group on enforced and involuntarily
desappearences in Geneva. Credit: FOCODE on twitter
Hate speech
As the government of Burundi and the ruling CNDD-FDD celebrated
two years after the 13 May 2015 attempted coup, hundreds of
1
See http://ndondeza.org/
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thousands of CNDD-FDD members gathered in several locations of
Burundi. Top political officers including the speaker, Hon Pascal
Nyabenda led the demonstators who performed hatred songs
inciting violence.
Demonstrators celebrating the 13 May 2015 failed coup. Credit: Inama Nshingamateka on twitter
Killings
Some of the reported cases of killings include:
 On 7 May 2017, mob justice resulted in Rwasa Fortunate being
killed in Gitongwe in the District of Muyinga whereas her
husband Aloys Butoyi was wounded and conducted to the
hospital of Muyinga.
 On 9 May 2017, an unidentified man was wounded as unknown
gunmen shot him in the streets of Buterere in the city of
Bujumbura.
 On 11 May 2017, Father Adolphe Ntahondereye died two
weeks after his release on 26 April 2017. He was abducted by
an unknown armed group on 9 May 2017 in Gatumba.
 On 11 May 2017, a 79 year old female, Bernadette Baragengana
was beheaded in Vugizo by unknown persons
 On 12 May 2017, Yvan Nsanzerugeze died in the police station
of Muramvya. He was arrested in Bukeye on 10 May 2017.
Reasons of his death remain unknown.
Arbitrary arrests and abductions
Continued arrests and abductions were reported during the period
report:
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 On 7 May 2017, a car driver, Emmanuel Habarugira was
arrested in Musaga and detained in Kanyosha police station. He
is accused of preventing people from joining the ruling CNDDFDD
 On 7 May 2017, five women were arrested and detained in
Rugombo
 On 10 May 2017, a coffee trader Ntirandekura Célestin aka
Wasiwasi was arrested in Butihinda and detained in Muyinga
 On 11May 2017, Monfort was abducted from Carama and taken
to unknown destination.
 On 11 May 2017, Gérard Kwitonda was arrested in Kamenge
and taken to Mpimba prison.
 On 11 May 2017, Police search was operated in Nyakabiga III,
4th Street as police sought for household notebooks. Twenty
(20) persons were arrested; majority of them released after
paying a fine.
Atrocities Watch Africa
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