AFRICA/BURUNDI - This high number of female ministers in Burundi’s new executive is a tribute to the part played by Burundi’s women in the peace process

Wednesday, 31 August 2005

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Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides)- Less Ministries and more women Ministers are the novelties of Burundi’s new government according to a local Church source in the capital Bujumbura where yesterday 30 August President Pierre Nkurunziza presented the list of 20 ministers in which he has included 7 women.
“This high number of female ministers is recognition of the part played by Burundi’s women in the peace process” the source told Fides. “Some political commentators say it was mainly thanks to women’s votes that the President’s party obtained such an overwhelming victory. And that the appointment of 7 women ministers was a way for Nkurunziza to pay his debt of gratitude to the female electorate”.
“Whatever the case” the source continued “the women of Burundi paid a high price in the civil war. Thousands of widows keep families together under the most difficult conditions. Women are certainly in front line to restore peace in this country”.
One of the most significant appointments is that of Antoinette Batumubwira a Tutsi and a member of the National Council for Defence of Democracy, CNDD-FDD the President’s party as Minister of Froeign Affairs and Co-operation.
On 19 August Pierre Nkurunziza President was elected President by parliament with 151 votes for and only 9 against. The election of Nkurunziza leader CNDD-FDD former Hutu rebel group which won legislative elections in July was predictable because he was the only candidate.
The election of the former rebel leader followed changes in the constitution to tip the country’s political balance in favour of the Hutu majority. Prior to the changes all political and military power was in the hands of the Tutsi a mere 14 percent minority of the population.
On 26 August in the presence of 30 foreign delegations Nkurunziza was installed as president.
“A priority for the new government will be to complete the peace process reaching an agreement with the National Forces of Liberation (FNL), the only remaining rebel group” the source told Fides. “We are certain of good will on the part of the government but the other side too must show its willingness to dialogue and negotiate”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2005 righe 36 parole 428)