Alien - Dicembre 1996
I am deeply dismayed by the move to impose sanctions on Burundi.
Major Pierre Buyoya may have taken power "illegally" last July 25th, but he needs support from all so he can halt the ethnic conflict in his country. Though the means Major Buyoya used to ascend to power were undemocratic and deserve condemnation, the truth is that former president Silvestre Ntibantunganya was biased and did not adhere to the basic democratic tenets.
It is quite evident that the period leading to this ouster was tensionfilled and the prospect of genocide loomed large. The governments of Kenya and Tanzania seem to have a phobia detrimental to regional unity. These two, by refusing to recognise Maj. Buyoya's government and calling it illegal, bring into question their own credibility for no one government in Africa can be said to be legaly in office. Most of them came to power through election rigging, although they claim they are democratically elected.
By imposing the sanctions do we really care about the plight of the children, women and common men of Burundi? Why should we behave in partisan manner? I find the sanctions move devoid of logic and suggest that it be reversed for the sake of peace in Burundi and Africa as a whole.
Burundi should be allowed access to the Mombasa and Dar es Salaam parts while Kenya Airways and all other airlines resume their flight in and out of Burundi. Furthermore, countries in the region should give aid to Burundi to alleviate the suffering of ordinary citizens.
The regional leaders should support Major Buyoya to achieve harmonious ethnic co-existence among the Tutsi and Hutu. Major Buyoya, on his part, should allow the ousted president to live in Burundi without fear of reprisal. Since the 1993 air crash that killed the heads of State of Rwanda and Burundi, hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence.
It is sad that the other nations of the world have kept their distance and allowed the Tutsi and Hutu to drown in anarchy, using the banner of the gun to exhume the hatchet.
By imposing sanctions we are not only slowly declaring war with Burundi, but also depriving Burundians of their right to trade and other basic human needs.
Humphrey Kariuki
Alien - Dicembre 1996