Burundi army defections show dangerous ethnic divisions

[mchambawima1]

By IGNATIUS SSUUNA and ELOGE WILLY KANEZA16 hours ago



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BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — As conflict in Burundi escalates along the same ethnic lines that fueled genocide in neighboring Rwanda, Burundi's president on Wednesday warned the world to stay out, threatening to attack any peacekeepers dispatched by regional countries.


In a public address, President Pierre Nkurunziza said a proposed African Union peacekeeping force would violate Burundi's Constitution, which forbids such an intervention if there is a functioning government and no fighting between "two parties."

"Burundi will consider it an invasion" if any foreign troops come and will fight them, the president said.

Nkurunziza, who is from the Hutu ethnic group, appears to be sidelining military officers from the Tutsi minority whose loyalty is questioned. Some Tutsis are also starting to defect from the army and one, a colonel, announced the creation of a new rebel group last week.

The defection of Lt. Col. Edouard Nshimirimana has stirred speculation that other Tutsi soldiers will follow him, leading to a full-blown conflict and mass bloodshed.

The Burundian government has accused Rwanda, which has the same ethnic groups as Burundi and is led by a Tutsi president, of recruiting and training rebels opposed to Nkurunziza, charges the Rwandan government denies. More than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in Rwanda's 1994 genocide.

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In this photo taken on Monday, Dec. 28 2015, Tanzania's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, left, pr …
The current violence in Burundi erupted after the ruling party announced in April that Nkurunziza would run for a third term, which many observers said violated both peace accords that ended a civil war here and the Constitution. A prominent human rights activist told The Associated Press that Burundi's long-standing ethnic divide between Hutus and Tutsis is the key issue facing the country again.

Anschaire Nikoyagize, president of the Burundian League for Human Rights, said that while the current government had encouraged some reconciliation, some members of the ruling party remember killings in Burundi in 1972 and Tutsi oppression of the Hutu majority under military governments that ruled from the mid-1960s to the late 1980s.

Burundi's army was considered the greatest success of the 2000 Arusha peace accord because it brought Hutu and Tutsi soldiers into a unified force.

Now, that gain is starting to unravel as the violence, which has claimed more than 200 lives, takes on a more ethnic dimension. The real death toll is likely much higher as many killings are not reported.

Security forces, including the military, used deadly force to break up the crowds protesting Nkurunziza's third-term bid in some volatile neighborhoods, some of which were heavily populated by Tutsis. At the start of the protests, the then-defense minister, a Tutsi, had warned that the military would not allow a violation of the Arusha accord. He was later contradicted by the army chief of staff, a Hutu who is among Nkurunziza's staunch allies.

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In this photo taken on Monday, Dec. 28 2015, Tanzania's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, right, t …
Those divisions, which appeared tangential at a time when the crisis was widely seen as political, are slowly becoming more visible as defections from the military signal possible war ahead.

Defections in Burundi's army show it is no longer unified, said Thierry Vircoulon, International Crisis Group's project director for central Africa.

"The candidacy of President Nkurunziza was very divisive, including in the security forces," he said. Nkurunziza was re-elected in July, in a vote that international observers said was not credible.

Presidential spokesman Willy Nyamitwe dismissed reports of ethnic divisions within the army as opposition propaganda.

Tutsis make up 14 percent of Burundi's 10 million people, while Hutus are 85 percent of the population. According to the Arusha agreement, Tutsis should hold 40 percent of posts in the government and the national assembly, as well as 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and the military.

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In this photo taken on Monday, Dec. 28 2015, Burundian refugees entertain as they receive Tanzania P …
As a former rebel leader, Nkurunziza came to power in 2005 following the signing of the Arusha accord. The Constitution created as a result of the accord says a president can serve for one term, renewable once. But in running for a third term, Nkurunziza'a party argued that he was eligible because for his first term he was chosen by lawmakers and was not popularly elected.

If a new war breaks out in Burundi, it is likely to be fought along ethnic lines, in which Tutsi soldiers are pitted against the Hutu-dominated government, said Leonard Nyangoma, a former interior minister. Nyangoma, a Hutu, is among opposition leaders set to start peace negotiations with the government in January.

Amid extrajudicial killings in the capital, more than 100,000 Burundians have fled to neighboring countries including Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. One of them, Patrick Ndikumana, is sheltering in the Mahama refugee camp in eastern Rwanda.

Ndikumana's older brother, a Tutsi officer in Burundi's army, was killed by members of Nkurunziza's presidential guard in June, accused of supporting street protesters, said Ndikumana.

"My brother was a lovely man and good soldier," said Ndikumana, wiping his teary eyes. "One day, hopefully, he will get justice."

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Ssuuna reported from Mahama camp, Rwanda. Associated Press writer Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda contributed to this report.

 

[Gamba la Nyoka]

Mchambawima how do you explain this from the above news which you have posted:
"Tutsis make up 14 percent of Burundi's 10 million people, while Hutus are 85 percent of the population. According to the Arusha agreement, Tutsis should hold 40 percent of posts in the government and the national assembly, as well as 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and the military."

How is that The Tutsi who are 14 percent of the population to hold 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and Military, as well as 40 Percent of Posts in the Government and National Assembly?

 

[Hoshea]

Mchambawima how do you explain this from the above news which you have posted:
"Tutsis make up 14 percent of Burundi's 10 million people, while Hutus are 85 percent of the population. According to the Arusha agreement, Tutsis should hold 40 percent of posts in the government and the national assembly, as well as 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and the military."

How is that The Tutsi who are 14 percent of the population to hold 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and Military, as well as 40 Percent of Posts in the Government and National Assembly?

Hata me nimeshaangaa hapo, ni watu gani wazima walipanga jambo la kiduwanzi hivo, bora wasingeweka percentage hizo. Hapo walifanya kufukia moto kwa nyasi, sasa nyasi zimeshika moto.

 

[Ngongo]

Mchambawima how do you explain this from the above news which you have posted:
"Tutsis make up 14 percent of Burundi's 10 million people, while Hutus are 85 percent of the population. According to the Arusha agreement, Tutsis should hold 40 percent of posts in the government and the national assembly, as well as 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and the military."

How is that The Tutsi who are 14 percent of the population to hold 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and Military, as well as 40 Percent of Posts in the Government and National Assembly?

Sijui ni mapatano ya aina gani watu wachache wanapewa haki ya kikatiba ya kutawala watu wengi.

 

[melkiori]

Inaonesha ao Tuts wamezoea kutawaliwa na Hutuz ndo washajiweka kuwa watala daima(taalifa za chini ya kapet znasema hawa Hutuz niwasomi sana na wanatuakili kias)....hata hapa bongo wamepenya had nafasi zajuu...eg Udiwani

 

[Bukyanagandi]

Hata me nimeshaangaa hapo, ni watu gani wazima walipanga jambo la kiduwanzi hivo, bora wasingeweka percentage hizo. Hapo walifanya kufukia moto kwa nyasi, sasa nyasi zimeshika moto.

Mkuu hata mimi siamini macho yangu, no wonder Watutsi wanakuwa na jeuri!! Nkuruzinza alikubari vipi ratio za kijinga kama hizo, ina maana kwenda kwake msituni kukabiliana na ubaguzi/ukoloni wa Kitutsi Nchini mwake ilikuwa ni sawa sawa na hakuna/kazi bure!!

Whoever drafted makubaliano ya Arusha alikuwa anategemea machafuko/kutoelewana kungekuja kutokea eventuary - na hii ilifanywa kimaksudi, nashanga kwa nini Nkuruzinza hakulishtukia hilo au alijuwa angeweza kuli-address siku za usoni - sasa limegehuka CHIMERA ATALIRUDISHAJE KWENYE CHUPA??

Hivi upande wa Rwanda mizania ya Watusi na Wahutu upande wa jeshi na Serikalini unafanana wa Burundi au una tofauti kubwa - kama ni hivyo kwa nini?

 

[Bavaria]

Hivi hawawezi kufanya uchaguzi bila kutegemea hizo percentage za uongozi?

 

[Quickly]

Mchambawima how do you explain this from the above news which you have posted:
"Tutsis make up 14 percent of Burundi's 10 million people, while Hutus are 85 percent of the population. According to the Arusha agreement, Tutsis should hold 40 percent of posts in the government and the national assembly, as well as 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and the military."

How is that The Tutsi who are 14 percent of the population to hold 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and Military, as well as 40 Percent of Posts in the Government and National Assembly?

Hata nami sielewi. Kigezo cha uwakilishi kwenye bunge ni kabila la mtu au ni kura anzozipata mwakilishi? Pia ratios haziambatani na % yao kwenye jamii. Tuangazie please

 

[cyberspace]

Mchambawima kashindwa kuchamba sasa hivi hawezi kujibu swali gumu hilo la percentage. Kalala mitini inzi wanamfuata sasa hivi

 

[mchambawima1]

Mchambawima kashindwa kuchamba sasa hivi hawezi kujibu swali gumu hilo la percentage. Kalala mitini inzi wanamfuata sasa hivi

lol... lakini kwanza, heri ya mwaka mpya! omba Mungu akusaidie huu mwaka ubadili tabia... nililijuwa hilo ndio maana nikaona bora tarehe 31 na 1 nikwepe nuksi za watu kama wewe, ni siku za muhimu sana kwangu, ni wakati wa kumshukuru Mungu kwa kufunga na kuuanza mwaka na baraka zake! but to be fair, you are barely true on your comment... ni kweli nimekuta nzi mmejaa tele na haifurahishi hata kidogo!

 

[mchambawima1]

Mchambawima how do you explain this from the above news which you have posted:
"Tutsis make up 14 percent of Burundi's 10 million people, while Hutus are 85 percent of the population. According to the Arusha agreement, Tutsis should hold 40 percent of posts in the government and the national assembly, as well as 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and the military."

How is that The Tutsi who are 14 percent of the population to hold 50 percent of all seats in the Senate and Military, as well as 40 Percent of Posts in the Government and National Assembly?

happy new year @Gamba la Nyoka! your question makes sense but in the end you have to admit that Nkurunziza and others agreed on the terms and signed it! if you ask me about Arusha thing, specifically on this one, I will tell you that the whole idea is bullshit! if you don't agree then tell me if Tanzania applies the same joke! uwezi ku solve matatizo ya ukabila kwa kujenga ukabila! sijuwi kama umeliona hilo? ndio maana huku Rwanda hatutaki huo ujinga! nafikiri hiyo ndiyo ilikuwa strategy ya kina @jMali low-life FDLR... kumbe hawajuwi huku uwezi kumjuwa Mhutu wala Mtutsi, kazi tu! huo ukabila wao tushautupa shimoni zamani sana! lakini yote hayo, Nkurunziza bwana hata mumtetee vipi, matendo na unafiki wake uko wazi kwa kila mtu kujionea... kwanza mi nafikiri hayo makubaliano mapya ya Arusha wala asiruhusiwe kwani haaminiki, ya kwanza hata kama yalikuwa hovyo, yamemshinda! sasa kwa nini ahudhulie ya pili? @vyuma

 

[Mzee wa Usafi]

Hata kama makubaliano yalitoa upendeleo kwa wachache lakini yalirejesha utengamano kwa kipindi chote hicho. Sasa Nkrunzinza kawarudisha nyuma sana hawata aminiana tena hata kwa asilimia 3%

 

[mchambawima1]

Hata kama makubaliano yalitoa upendeleo kwa wachache lakini yalirejesha utengamano kwa kipindi chote hicho. Sasa Nkrunzinza kawarudisha nyuma sana hawata aminiana tena hata kwa asilimia 3%

Mkuu hata mimi siamini macho yangu, no wonder Watutsi wanakuwa na jeuri!! Nkuruzinza alikubari vipi ratio za kijinga kama hizo, ina maana kwenda kwake msituni kukabiliana na ubaguzi/ukoloni wa Kitutsi Nchini mwake ilikuwa ni sawa sawa na hakuna/kazi bure!!

Whoever drafted makubaliano ya Arusha alikuwa anategemea machafuko/kutoelewana kungekuja kutokea eventuary - na hii ilifanywa kimaksudi, nashanga kwa nini Nkuruzinza hakulishtukia hilo au alijuwa angeweza kuli-address siku za usoni - sasa limegehuka CHIMERA ATALIRUDISHAJE KWENYE CHUPA??

Hivi upande wa Rwanda mizania ya Watusi na Wahutu upande wa jeshi na Serikalini unafanana wa Burundi au una tofauti kubwa - kama ni hivyo kwa nini?

mzee Mandela aliliona hilo mapema akasema jamaa hawana vision! kwanza vita ilikuwa imemshinda! akaona wazee wako wanapendekeza kumpa nchi kwa dezo, basi yeye hata hakuangalia kipengele gani hakifai, akapiga sign fasta! sasa wewe mbona unakonalia ratio, kwani kwenu ratio yenu ikoje?
huku kwetu hakuna huo ufara! unyarwanda first! kipindi cha kina @jMali ilikuwa ni 100% Hutu lakini haikuwafanya wawe na fikra za kibinadamu!

 

[mchambawima1]

Hivi hawawezi kufanya uchaguzi bila kutegemea hizo percentage za uongozi?

heri ya mwaka mpya! hongera, naona mwaka umeuanza kwa hekima! @jMali @Bukyanagandi @vyuma @Gamba la Nyoka @einstein newton ...

 

[inamankusweke]

Hata kama makubaliano yalitoa upendeleo kwa wachache lakini yalirejesha utengamano kwa kipindi chote hicho. Sasa Nkrunzinza kawarudisha nyuma sana hawata aminiana tena hata kwa asilimia 3%

dalili za jamii zisizostaarabika ni ubaguzi

 

[Hoshea]

mzee Mandela aliliona hilo mapema akasema jamaa hawana vision! kwanza vita ilikuwa imemshinda! akaona wazee wako wanapendekeza kumpa nchi kwa dezo, basi yeye hata hakuangalia kipengele gani hakifai, akapiga sign fasta! sasa wewe mbona unakonalia ratio, kwani kwenu ratio yenu ikoje?
huku kwetu hakuna huo ufara! unyarwanda first! kipindi cha kina @jMali ilikuwa ni 100% Hutu lakini haikuwafanya wawe na fikra za kibinadamu!

Lakini kama hiyo ni kweli alisign despite hizo ratio alimradi awe raisi tu, that was so stupid of him.
Ila nina doubt validity ya hizo ratios.

Hakuna mtu timamu atatia sign kitu kama iyo. So you tell us the truth about that one.

 

[mchambawima1]

Lakini kama hiyo ni kweli alisign despite hizo ratio alimradi awe raisi tu, that was so stupid of him.
Ila nina doubt validity ya hizo ratios.

Hakuna mtu timamu atatia sign kitu kama iyo. So you tell us the truth about that one.

hebu kwanza kabla sijakupa tano, niambie ujinga uliouona kwenye hilo dili mpaka unamuona Nkurunziza wa hovyo? maana naweza kufukiri tupo pamoja kumbe na we mwenyewe mtambo!

 

[Hoshea]

hebu kwanza kabla sijakupa tano, niambie ujinga uliouona kwenye hilo dili mpaka unamuona Nkurunziza wa hovyo? maana naweza kufukiri tupo pamoja kumbe na we mwenyewe mtambo!

Shida naona hapo kwenye hizo percentage za kikabila kwenye vyeo.

 

[Tangawizi]

Biashara ya uhutu na utusi ni kichaa sana....haipo duniani hapa kasoro Rwanda na Burundi tu. Kweli wajirekebishe

 

[mchambawima1]

Biashara ya uhutu na utusi ni kichaa sana....haipo duniani hapa kasoro Rwanda na Burundi tu. Kweli wajirekebishe

Rwanda? nani kakuambia tuna huu ujinga? huu ujinga upo Burundi na huko Arusha tu! tafadhali msichanganye mambo!