By RFIPalled on 23-07-2019Modified on 23-07-2019 at 04:36

After the announcement by France of the resumption since the beginning of the year of its direct aid to Burundi, still under European sanctions, the opposition vigorously denounces this choice.

The reception at the "hand outstretched" France seems to have been glacial, although Gitega [the new capital of Burundi, Ed] has not yet reacted officially.

The French ambassador to Burundi almost had to agree. He admitted a few days ago that the French continue to not have " access to the highest authorities " in the country, more than nine months after their opening gesture.

In reality, the power of President Pierre Nkurunziza still wants to Paris, mainly for two reasons, according to a senior Burundian official. He criticizes first of all the UN resolutions on Burundi deemed " unfriendly " and which were initiated by France, as for all countries of French-speaking Africa. An argument that Gitega sweeps with one hand.

Finally, there is Emmanuel Macron's congratulatory letter to his counterpart on Burundi's Independence Day on July 1, in which the French president is accused of " posing as a lesson giver ".

" Paris has nothing to hope before the elections of 2020 because France is perceived as the main threat to the interests of Burundi, " warns the same senior Burundian official.

The very critical opposition

Finally, it is the consternation in the camp of the opposition in exile in Europe, where we do not dare criticize this country with open face. It is quite another thing apart, where this opposition ensures not to be surprised by the attitude of a France " which is always found alongside the worst dictators ".

For the French organization Survie, this decision is revealing of the way France behaves with the worst dictatorships of the African continent, explains its spokesperson, Thomas Borrel.

Unfortunately, it is rather revealing of the way France behaves towards the worst dictatorships on the African continent, that is to say, it resumes its military cooperation with regimes which are nevertheless illustrated by human rights violations.

Thomas Borrel, spokesperson for Survie Association

23-07-2019 - By Esdras Ndikumana

    On the same subject

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