AFRICA/BURUNDI - Burundians vote to renew parliament. “These elections mark a turning point in the history of Burundi”

Monday, 4 July 2005

Bujumbura (Fides Service)- “At the moment the situation is calm no incidents have been reported” said local sources in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi where legislative elections began today 4 July. “Following local elections on 3 June (see Fides 3 June 2005), this election is a most important step in the long process of transition which will conclude in August when the two houses of parliament will elect the new president” the sources told Fides. In fact the president will be elected by the people only in 2010.
“Despite fighting between the army and troops of the National Liberation Forces (FNL), the last rebel movement still active in Burundi, the electoral process went ahead. This was a good sign for the future of the country which seems determined to turn the page and stop war” the sources told Fides.
Some international observers feared that instability in Democratic Congo, due to the postponement of June 30 elections, (see Fides 30 June 2005) might have negative repercussions on the situation in Burundi. “Certainly to consolidate peace in Burundi, bordering countries must restore stability” the sources told Fides. “However so far pessimistic forecasts have failed to materialise. But the international community must continue to follow what is happening in the Great Lakes Region here in central Africa with attention to help consolidate processes of peace a stabilisation in the area started some long ago ”.
The elections which involve about 3 million voters are monitored by international observers sent by the African Union, European Union, French speaking community and South Africa, the latter being committed to mediating to reach an end to civil war in Burundi.
Local elections in June were won mainly by the National Council for the Defence of Democracy, CNDD political wing of the former rebel group FDD, which gained 62.87% of the votes (see Fides 10 June 2005). The FDD was the main Hutu rebel group in Burundi. After years of fighting in 2003 it signed a peace agreement with the interim government which foresaw the insertion of its troops in the army and the participation in the elections of its political leaders. “The CNDD appears to be favoured also in these parliamentary elections. But it remains to be seen by how much it will win” the source told Fides. “With an overwhelming victory the former rebel group will be able to govern the country alone, but if its victory is limited it will have to form a coalition to govern. Whatever the outcome, this election is an important political event in the history of Burundi governed for decades by a Tutsi elite” the sources concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2005 righe 41 parole 516)


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