“The masses have decided to take into their own hands the destiny of the nation to remedy this unconstitutional environment into which Burundi has been plunged. The masses vigorously and tenaciously reject President Nkurunziza’s third-term mandate… President Pierre Nkurunziza has been relieved of his duties. The government is overthrown.” – Major General Godefroid Niyombareh
These statements signalled a purported Coup d’état in which former Burundian army chief, Major General Godefroid Niyombareh announced the overthrow of the government of Pierre Nkurunziza in May 2015. This came at a time of heightened political tension amid waves of massive protests following the declaration of intent by the Burundian leader to seek another term in office.
Pierre Nkurunziza’s first ascent to the helm of affairs in Burundi was in 2005 following the promulgation of a power sharing constitution. He was elected by a two-thirds majority of the legislature for a five-year term as the Country’s first post transition president. Under the terms of the Constitution, subsequent presidential elections were to be decided by Universal suffrage.
Upon the expiration of his term in 2010, President Pierre Nkurunziza sought re-election for another term in office, this tim being elected by universal suffrage. It was his most recent attempt at reelection that, in May of this year, ignited a coup de theatre. In the weeks following the President’s declaration demonstrators clashed with police forces as mass protests popped up around the country; resulting in at least 70 deaths and about 500 wounded.
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), over 100,000 fled across the Burundian border to neighbouring countries in anticipation of the impending unrest. With lingering memories of the not-so-distant violent history in the region, these fears are not particularly farfetched. In fact, it was not until 2005, when the last of the rebel factions sign the peace accord, that some semblance of stability came to Burundi.
Backed by a favoured ruling by the Constitutional Court – though there are reports of judges being intimidated President Nkurunziza – which legitimized his claim that he had only served only one term, arguing that his first five year tenure in office did not count as he was not elected by Universal suffrage. Catalyzed by this court decision, members of the military elite attempted, and ultimately failed, to seize power in a coup d’état .
Undeterred by mass protests, opposition boycotts and condemnation from the international community – most adamantly from the African Union who, for the first time, refused to send observers to monitor elections in a member country – President Nkurunziza continued on his reelection bid. In a a lackluster attempt to appease critics, he allowed for the postponement of elections by just a few weeks from the originally scheduled date. Unsurprisingly, the incumbent candidate, President Nkurunziza, was able to retain his presidency, winning 70% of total votes cast.
The last Burundian elections reverberated fears of another simmering unrest in an already conflict laden Great Lakes region. Since the 2005 accord, which saw Pierre Nkurunziza rise to power, there has been a increase in the clamp down on opposition parties as well as media coverage on political matters.
Like the 201o elections, the 2015 Burundian Parliamentary Presidential elections was boycotted by the opposition. This time, however, the main opposition to President Nkurunziza’s bid originated from within his own party, resulting in several high profile members being exiled from the country, including: Vice-President Gervais Rufyikiri and Intelligence chief, Major General Godefroid Niyombareh.
Amidst all of the highly publicized opposition, President Nkurunziza has been sworn in for another term in office. Burundians are now faced an uneasy calm. Though most of the dissenting voices against the President are either in exile or behind bars, a rebellion led by them against the government is very unlikely given the wariness of all international actors to the continuing conflict in the Great lakes region.
However, President Nkurunziza might not have a smooth ride at manipulation should he seek another term upon the expiration of this current term. That will entail a constitutional amendment which might tamper with the fragile peace the Country currently enjoys. Judging from the mass protests that greeted the president’s current term bid, another tenure elongation will ignite another conflict which might set the Tutsis who have now been long out of power against President Nkurunziza’s Hutu ethnic group which has been in power since 2005 and will continue till 2020.
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