What is happening in Burundi is horrendous. The suffering of the Burundian people is an indictment to us all, citizens of the East African Community. It is a blow to our pledge for Never Again, made following the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi
It is deeply heartbreaking that politics have, once again stood in the way, and prevented measures, that should be taken in earnest to prevent another human tragedy in the making.
I am particularly gutted by the Burundian authorities whom, hatched a plans to exterminate their own people;
I am also dismayed by Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; the person appointed to mediate in resolving the crisis in Burundi, but whom sees his role as a mere opportunity to be on some international limelight;
All diplomats are weary of Mr. Museveni’s inaction, but him, is unwilling to relinquish the role and focus on his uncharacteristically tough re-election in Uganda, this term. Indeed he is using his Burundi messiah title as a campaign card, and is glad to be telephoned daily by world leaders…
Now, Mr. Museveni’s notoriety in this region makes it almost impossible for anyone to demand accountability from him. Not least, the Nkurunziza government is all too glad that it is President Museveni who is (mis) handling their crisis, given his convenient lack of interest. They can kill while he campaigns…
Now, as Rwandans, we are alarmed that all familiar stages leading up to a Genocide, namely: Classification, Symbolization, Discrimination, Dehumanization, Organization, Polarization, Preparation, Persecution, Extermination, Denial, and most importantly, ‘Inaction of the International Community’ have been met in the Burundi crisis;
Personally I am not interested in after-effect regrets and public apologies. Nor am I excited by the unspeakable, gruesome images being shared online;
As a friend remarked: ‘these photos are being circulated to trivialize the killings and debase the victims’; in other words, the Burundi killing apparatus, has found a new hate medium (RTLM), taking advantage of the era of social media. As you share or re-tweet, you are just feeding the monster.
So
- To Pierre Nkurunziza and his government: Shame on you!
- To the Killers in Burundi: Shame on you!
- To Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the convenient mediator on Burundi: Shame on you!
- To those sharing photos of dead Burundian persons: Shame on you!
- To anyone who has a direct or indirect hand in the massacres being perpetrated against Burundians – you know who you are: Shame on you!
- To anyone who could have done something on Burundi and isn’t: Shame on you!
Shame on you! Shame on you!