Posts by Landry Ninteretse

From the field Burundi: Radicalization of the post-election crisis

The attack in Gatumba village, Burundi, on 18 September which led to 39 deaths and more than 30 wounded was unanimously condemned. Its scale provoked a strong reaction by the government which set up a commission of inquiry on 21 September to shed light on the carnage within a month. A total media blackout on investigations was imposed as, despite some protests, the press opted to respect the work of the inquiry. Read more >>>

From the field Burundi: From contested polls to increased insecurity

Every week in Burundi, some 20 people die in political killings. The hit rate is worst in Bujumbura-Rural, a province surrounding the capital city, where political violence and targeted assassinations have grown in the months since the disputed elections of 2010. Read more >>>

From the field From dictatorships to democratic hopes in Africa

Landry Ninteretse, Insight on Conflict’s local correspondent in Burundi, reflects on this years World Social Forum in Dakar. Democratic aspirations and peacebuiling issues were at the forefront of discussions given the recent events in the Middle East, and Landry asks what lessons local peacebuilders can share. Read more >>>

From the field Peace and democratic aspirations at the World Social Forum

After Bamako and Nairobi, the 11th edition of the World Social Forum (WSF) is back in Africa, hosted in Senegalese capital city Dakar where around 50.000 activists from around the world are expected to meet, reflect and debate, under the slogan “Another World Is Possible”. Landry Ninteretse, our Burundi Local Correspondent is attending and will be reporting on the most interesting new developments for peace movements. Read more >>>

From the field Burundi: When violence Threatens a Fragile Democratic Process

The unrest and political violences that have during the electoral period in Burundi has transformed into a more complex situation characterized by barbaric killings and rumors of a fresh rebellion. Only in September, bodies of at least 40 people have been found in swamps of Rukoko and Rusizi, 20 km north-west from Bujumbura. Those who have perpetrated such crimes haven’t yet been clearly identified; police says armed bandits are responsible of such attacks while local residents in Rukoko and Gihanga in Bubanza province confirmed the existence of a well-organised group with new uniform and guns operating in this area close to the border with DR Congo. Read more >>>

From the field Struggling for peace in a troubled context

Kamenge Youth Centre continues to play a key role in reconciliation and home rebuilding in the five northern communes of Bujumbura by organizing habitual work camps which gather thousands of participants. This year however, things were not easy for a number of reasons. Firstly, the prolonged strike in public secondary schools has disorganized academic schedules and meant that many students were not available to fully take part in the work camp activities. Secondly, the political and security tensions surrounding the contested communal election results led to grenade attacks in Bujumbura and other provinces, provoking terror and fear amongst the population. Thirdly, a lack of funding caused delay to the start of the camp. Read more >>>

From the field A period of uncertainty in Burundi

Burundians are living in fear since the announced victory of CNDD-FDD in local polls in late May; the result has been contested by the opposition, who say that the vote had been rigged. Several grenade attacks have targeted bars, residences and public areas in the recent days. It is reported that 6 people have died and more that fifty others have been injured. Read more >>>

From the field Human Rights Watch Representative Asked to Leave Burundi

The Burundian government has canceled work permit of Neela Ghoshal, Human Right Watch’s representative in Burundi and asked her to leave the country by the 5th of June. This decision follows the publication of a HRW’s report on pre-electoral violence last week describing violent clashes between rival youth wings, including the ruling party CNDD-FDD and former rebel group FNL. The report urged the government to take strong measures to combat political violence and ensure peaceful conditions in this electoral period. Read more >>>

From the field Burundi Bikers Mobilise

16 volunteers from the Amahoro Youth Club lead a peace parade of over 100 bikers across the city of Bujumbura. The bikers, on cycles and motorbikes, are the taxi drivers of the city, young men who in previous years have been used as pawns in outbreaks of political violence. Read more >>>

From the field Unprecedented massive naturalization

“Historic action”, that’s how UNHCR and analysts have called the decision of Tanzanian government to grant citizenship to more that 162,000 Burundian refugees who have been living there for nearly four decades now. Read more >>>