Burundi: controversial new government

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The designation of the members of the new Burundian government creates turmoil, a tight government which goes from 21 to 15 members for a country which faces an economic crisis. Bujumbura claims it is a government of technocrats, but a few names worry human rights defenders. This is particularly the case for that of the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, under international sanctions and whose name is cited in investigations by the International Criminal Court.

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On the Bujumbura side, we insist on the competence of the members of this restricted government and on their representativeness, when there is only one ministry which is held by a political party other than the CNDD-FDD.

But there are, we are told, two magistrates, a police officer, a member of civil society and even a woman of the Twa ethnic group, a first. It also indicates that there are good experts in their files such as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs who, it is said, has made a name for himself as ambassador in New York, at a very difficult time. But this cast worries civil society.

“  The Collective of lawyers for victims and civil parties does not intend to rule on the political choice. However, he can see that a number of newly appointed members of government have been cited in connection with investigations by the ICC. If arrest warrants are issued, they will have to be executed,  ”said Maître Armel Niyongere, coordinator of a group of lawyers for victims of repression in Burundi.

For Carina Tersakian, of the Initiative for Human Rights in Burundi, one of the darkest points is the presence at the head of the Ministry of Interior and Public Security of General Gervais Ndirakobuca, under international sanctions.

"  Gervais Ndirakobuca is someone who has participated in very serious human rights violations, especially since the start of the crisis in Burundi in 2015,  " she said.

For Bujumbura, these sanctions against Burundian officials are unjust as unjustified. The country had slammed the door of the ICC just before the public announcement of the opening of an investigation.

Read also: Burundi: a government tightened around those close to power

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