July 14, 2016
Posted by Jen Harris on Jul 14, 2016
Philemon Dushimire
BURUNDI:
An interesting case for Democracy
Burundi is located in central east of Africa and surrounded with Rwanda in north, Democratic Republic of Congo in west and
Tanzania in east and south.
Tanzania in east and south.
It is populated by three major ethnic groups namely Hutus (85%), Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%).
It was colonized by Germany(1903 to 1916) and Belgium (1916 to 1962), the year of independence.
Burundi was a monarchy until 1966 when it was abolished and became a Republic.
Burundi was a monarchy until 1966 when it was abolished and became a Republic.
From 1966 to 1993 Barundi was a Republic ruled by military regimes dominated by ethnic group of Tutsis.
In 1990 Burundi will held the first general election since 1966 - they elected a Hutu President for the first time.
In 1990 Burundi will held the first general election since 1966 - they elected a Hutu President for the first time.
After just three months and ten days, the President was killed during a military coup plunging the country into civil war.
The civil war that took place from 1993 to 2005 was ethnic based because the army that killed the elected Hutu President was dominated by Tutsis.
This being said the civil war was ethnic based between the two most important ethnic groups namely Hutus and Tutsis.
The civil war that took place from 1993 to 2005 was ethnic based because the army that killed the elected Hutu President was dominated by Tutsis.
This being said the civil war was ethnic based between the two most important ethnic groups namely Hutus and Tutsis.
Since the advent of Republic,Tutsis dominated political affairs in Burundi until 1993.
Hutu political leaders had always claimed to participate in public affairs management from different military
regimes led by Tutsis.
Hutu political leaders had always claimed to participate in public affairs management from different military
regimes led by Tutsis.
In 1993 things took a different turn in Burundi with the acceptance of multiple political parties and then the first elected President
came in office. It is common sense that this President was a Hutus the majority ethnic group.
came in office. It is common sense that this President was a Hutus the majority ethnic group.
Despite of the political openness at that time, defense and security forces were still dominated by Tutsis and this is the reason why
some Tutsi politicians succeeded in manipulating them.
They aimed to kill the elected President so that a chaos will take place and then permit them again to come back in
public affairs management.
some Tutsi politicians succeeded in manipulating them.
They aimed to kill the elected President so that a chaos will take place and then permit them again to come back in
public affairs management.
The civil war that followed was long and caused much damage. It brought all sides in conflict to start political negotiations in order to end atrocities and reach a cease fire agreement.
The cease fire negotiations were held in Arusha in Tanzania.
On August 28, 2000 a general accord was signed between all parts to stop the war and start a political transition that will lead to general election in
2005.
2005.
The transition was supposed to last five years and the first part to be led by a Tutsi President and the second one to be ruled by a Hutu President.
After the transition, the plan was to organize general election and then put Burundi back in democratic political system. One of the main
agreement was that anyone will be President more than two terms of five years each.
After the transition, the plan was to organize general election and then put Burundi back in democratic political system. One of the main
agreement was that anyone will be President more than two terms of five years each.
Another important reform with Arusha accords was about defense and security forces. The agreement says that Burundi forces will be composed by 50% of Tutsis and 50% of Hutus.
This was done in order to tranquilize every ethnic group and also to stabilize the country in terms of security.
In 2005 general elections brought Pierre Nkurunziza to power and this one was the chef of one of the Hutu rebel movements involved in civil war (1993 to 2005).
This was done in order to tranquilize every ethnic group and also to stabilize the country in terms of security.
In 2005 general elections brought Pierre Nkurunziza to power and this one was the chef of one of the Hutu rebel movements involved in civil war (1993 to 2005).
From 2005 to 2015 Burundi remained in peace mostly because of the Arusha accords even though the regime behaved more than
once in violating human rights but also corruption reached a higher level.
once in violating human rights but also corruption reached a higher level.
At the end of his second term President Pierre Nkurunzia refused to leave the power and this put Burundi again in a political turmoil.
Since April 26th 2015 when the incumbent President made the announcement to run for a third term against Constitution,protesters came out the streets but they were heavily repressed by the police.
Since April 26th 2015 when the incumbent President made the announcement to run for a third term against Constitution,protesters came out the streets but they were heavily repressed by the police.
Today - one year later more than 500 people have been killed and more than 250,000 people are refugees in countries around Burundi.
Philemon believes that we shouldn’t remain silent when democracy is being destroyed any place in the world.
His personal belief is that the biggest threat of democracy is not dictatorship but the decrease of civic engagement especially in old democracies.
His personal belief is that the biggest threat of democracy is not dictatorship but the decrease of civic engagement especially in old democracies.
Q&A
Is there a differences between the tribes?
Not really andy tangible differences – it is used politically to attain power.
500 people killed doesn’t sound like a lot, how does one deal with neighbor killing neighbor?
It’s very easy in times of turmoil to see “others” as the enemy
The court case that caused you to become a refugee?
As a judge he sat on criminal and civil cases. Someone was charged with being against the government. The system is corrupt and people who follow the rules – lucky enough to escape
President running for a third time?
Agreement for Peace included only 2 presidential terms.
He put together a militia and tried to control the army.
In 2015, the President was well armed for a coup.
He was able to force his third election
The country is now in turmoil
How did you get to Maine?
Had a friend in the USA who got him an invitation to give a workshop. His plan was to ask for asylum. He’s been in Maine since 2010, only granted asylum in May 2015. When you apply for asylum after 5 months you can receive a work permit.
With 250,000 refugees in surrounding countries – how stable are those countries?
Tanzania is a stable country. In Rwanda, after the genocide – it’s not necessarily a democracy, but it is stable.
Were you able to bring family? Who is left behind?
Came by myself? By chance my brother was lucky enough to get out before him. Siblings and dad still live in Burundi , they are in danger – he’s trying to get them to the US.
Buckets for the month of July – Backpacks
Gary Walker presented –
Paul Harris +6 – Etienne Perret a 7x Paul Harris
Community Service
Mark Masterson
What do we want to do in this community this year?
Who has some ideas of activities in the community?
Would like to establish a calendar to put on line to post all events all year so we can get a better idea of what we are doing throughout the year.
A calendar is a fantastic idea so that we can see & plan what is coming down the pike.
Current website includes a calendar function.
Need for a clean-up day for Camden & Rockport. It can end at a local watering hole. We can enlist kids and interact.
Evaluate the balance between fundraising and community outreach.
Always looking at new/better and increased revenue from increasing. We don’t have to do the same project every year.
Bob – Boats & Harbors Show
Having problems filling volunteer slots on Saturday.
When you sign up, please include your phone number. We are over in some time slots and under in other slots. Thanks
Lisa Dresser – sign up sheet Lobster Ride beer garden. Only need about 5 people to run it. Sunday, July 24. Has the opportunity to raise about $3,000.
Supplies needed for backpack project
pens
pencils
erasers
rulers
notebook
folders
glue
markers
colored pencils
tape
calculators
3 ring binders
pocket folders for the minders