By Francis Sadhere
A Niger Delta based NonGovernmental Organization, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) has condemned the repressive regime of President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi which has resulted in the killing of civilians, arbitrary arrests, intimidation and the closure of media houses, ahead of the forthcoming general polls.
This is contained in a statement signed by CEPEJs National Coordinator/CEO, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, and made available to our correspondent in Warri, Delta State.
He urged the Buherundians authorities to uphold the rights of the people to free expression and peaceful assembly and called on International criminal court (ICC) and African Union (AU) to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the human rights abuses so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The NGO called on African Union to intervene urgently in the political impasse over moves by President Nkurunziza to run for a third term and address the tradition of impunity that has reigned for long in Burundi.
The Center also condemned in strong terms the crack down on the protesters by security operatives using live ammunition, grenades and tear gas which have make many Burundians fled their home to the neighboring country Rwanda for safety.
The Center lamented that President Nkurunziza tyrannical administration has greatly hindered the promotion and protection of rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, among others.
The statement implored all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue, and avoid using inflammatory language or hate speech which could aggravate the already tensed situation.
The troubling events of the past days should also be seen against the increasingly important role that youth militias have played for more than a year. Against this backdrop, we are therefore calling on African Union to intervene urgently in the political impasse over moves by President Nkurunziza to run for a third term as well as the tradition of impunity that has reigned for long because in a society, which has witnessed cycles of recurring violence on a massive scale for close to 50 years, and in which victims have seen no redress for the violations suffered, no one can afford another conflict, the statement read.
CEPEJ therefore, urged Burundi government, Civil Society, and all stakeholders to take urgent steps to preserve peace as espoused by the Arusha Agreement of 2000, and especially the adoption of the 2005 Constitution, coupled with agreed ethnic representations in all official institutions, have enabled the country to ensure a degree of stability since 2009.
CEPEJ warned that the significant achievements made over the past 15 years will be jeopardized if the African leaders and Burundi authorities fail to take cogent measures to prevent further violations and tradition of impunity in the polity.
It also advised President Pierre Nkurunziza to emulate his Nigerian counterpart, President Goodluck Jonathan who conceived defeat in the just concluded elections that has since paved the way for peaceful transition of power in Nigeria.
