Event:
Monday 5th October the death toll in Bujumbura’s killing in Burundi stood at 8 people in the overnight shooting incidents.
The shootings are the latest in the series of killings in the capital since the disputed re-election of President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Conflicting reports both from the locals and the police point fingers on the local police and or the Imbonerakure- youth wing of the CNDD-FDD ruling party.
Analysis:
The latest wave of violence in Burundi erupted on Saturday afternoon and was concentrated in Cibitoke and Mutukura neighborhoods north of Bujumbura that lasted through to Sunday killing at least 8 people and other injured.
Conflicting reports from local residents and the police indicate that the Sunday violence was mainly between the CNDD-FDD-youth wing Imbonerakure and the police officer after the youth rebels robbed houses in the neighborhood.
The violence erupted barely a day after the European Union announced sanctions against four top Burundi officials who are accused of ordering the use of force against peaceful protestors in Burundi. Among them:
- Godefroid Bizimana- deputy national police head- accused of decision that led to “disproportionate use of force and acts of violence repression on peaceful demonstrators”
- Gervais Ndirakobuca- – cabinet official responsible for police matters- giving human right-violating instruction to the police
- Joseph Niyonzima- Senior intelligence officer-accused of arming and training pro-government militia
- Leonard Ngendakumana- former general who lead the coup against Nkurunziza
Conclusion:
The violence in Burundi has not only prompted sanctions from the EU but also other significant aiders of the second poorest country in the world. At the United Nations general meeting which Nkurunziza failed to attend due to the fallouts with the international community steps towards restoring peace were discussed.
Burundi has not only lost allies in the international front but also back home in the Great Lakes region with icy relations between her and Rwanda advancing. The relations have gone south after Burundi accused Rwanda of funding and backing the opposition in Burundi.
Burundi through her foreign minister has however expressed interest in working to retain allies and avoid further economic sanctions that would cripple close to all activities in a country whose national budget is significantly funded by Belgium and other international actors.
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