Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Fides Service)- “The crisis is political and so far there are no signs of a military intervention” local sources in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, told Fides. The crisis broke during a Cabinet Meeting on Saturday 11 September when Tutsi ministers failed to approve Constitutional reforms due to take effect on November 1.
“Tutsi representatives, Tutsi amount to 14% of the population, are demanding 40% of seats in a future parliament. For their part Hutu parties, representing over 60% of the population, say that first there must be a general election first and on the grounds of the results it will be decided whether it is necessary to reserve seats for Tutsi representatives” the sources told Fides (see Fides 19 July 2004).
“The crisis is institutional because it involves the President Domitien Ndayizeye, a Hutu, and the Vice president, Tutsi Alphonse Kadege, who is also leader of the main Tutsi party UPRONA. The latter accused the President of failing to inform him of the cabinet meeting called to approve the Constitutional reform” the sources told Fides and added: “the positive fact is that the defence minister said the matter is purely political and that the army has no intention of getting involved”.
Last week 21 rebels were killed when regular army troops engaged in a violent battle with rebels in the southern outskirts of Bujumbura. The casualties were members of the National Liberation Forces group which refused to sign a treaty with the government reached last December by the other more numerous rebel group, Democratic Forces for Democracy whose leaders now sit with the government, while the troops are completing integration into the regular army. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/9/2004 righe 28 parole 311)
