Featured: Burundian bishops set foot in electoral plate

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By: Frédéric Couteau Follow

Publicity

"  Often criticized for its reserve and its legendary slowness, this time, the Catholic Church of Burundi was quick,  " exclaims the Burundian news site Iwacu . Twenty-four hours after the announcement of the results of the presidential election, “  the charge is severe. According to the bishops, the triple ballot of May 20 is devoid of "elements that should characterize truly democratic elections" . Prelates list "injustices" and "many irregularities regarding the freedom and transparency of the electoral process and fairness in the treatment of candidates and voters". […] Among other irregularities noted by the successors of Saint-Pierre, the constraints exerted on certain agents to sign in advance the minutes of the counting of the contents of the ballot boxes, the stuffing of certain ballot boxes, the vote in place of the deceased and refugees and multiple and therefore invalid proxies.  "

Terrible indictment

"  And that's not all," says Iwacu again . Catholic bishops also regret that there were voters in some polling stations who voted more than once. They condemn the exclusion of the agents and observers from the places where the votes are counted, the intimidation and constraints exerted on voters by certain administrative officials who accompanied them to the voting booths.  "

In short, "  a terrible indictment," exclaims Iwacu. […] The Catholic bishops call for calm and recommend to all those who feel violated in their rights to privilege authorized ways to be reinstated in their rights. […] The prelates are also surprised that people are "persecuted" for political reasons and call on the public authorities to put an end to it. And they finally recall that the multiparty system is recognized in Burundi.  "

And Iwacu concludes: “  The Catholic Church therefore very quickly chose to take a stand and play its role of moral authority. As a reminder, around 63 % of Burundians recognize themselves in the Catholic Church, according to the general population census of 2008.  "

The power of generals

Point Afrique , for its part, insists on the military character of Burundian power. The new president, Évariste Ndayishimiye, is a general. "  His appointment is the result of a compromise, says Le Point Afrique, between President Nkurunziza and the small group of generals from the former Hutu rebellion who control with him all the levers of power. The head of state, who would have preferred a civilian, Pascal Nyabenda, the president of the National Assembly, gave in to these generals determined to keep a soldier at the top of power. Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is not part of this group of generals, is therefore indebted to them and may find it difficult to emancipate themselves.  "

However, Le Point Afrique still notes , Évariste Ndayishimiye would be "  someone simple, close to the people, rather tolerant, little corrupt. "He has a reputation for openness and honesty unlike other generals," deciphers a diplomat who knows the mysteries of Burundian power. "It was the best choice, but he will have a lot to do to stimulate change and openness to opposition in a party dominated by an extremist and sectarian current . "  "

Preserve...

"  In any case, things are clear , sighs Le Pays in Burkina. Power remains the preserve of the military in Burundi, so much so that it is difficult to hope for the establishment of a true democracy in this country. Everything happens as if the cases of Algeria and Sudan, for example, where the military nomenklatura had the upper hand over everything, have not served as lessons for the power of Bujumbura. […] If countries like Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, or Chad, to cite only these examples, have trouble with their democracy, continues the Burkinabe daily, it is because they are led by soldiers who, accustomed to the paneling of power, refuse to imagine another life outside the presidential palaces. And it is unfortunately the danger that awaits Burundi, concludes Le Pays, where obviously the men in fatigues have only one concern : to defend their interests and other privileges, even at the risk of democracy and Rule of law.  "

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• Burundi
• Evariste Ndayishimiye