Burundians held parliamentary and local elections on Monday after weeks of violent protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office. In light of Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza’s continued efforts to violate the constitution, and press ahead with elections, the African Union (AU) stood down its election observers in Burundi on Sunday over the fear the polls will not be credible.
As if that were not enough, the European Union and the influential Catholic Church stood down their observers for the same reasons. However, Burundi’s UN Ambassador Albert Shingiro told the 15-member Security Council that “Ninety-five percent of the population wants to move forward to the election and not remain hostage to this radical minority.” He further accused the opposition of acting “like spoiled brats” who are never satisfied.
Despite all the alarm bells ringing, Nkurunziza and his inner circle have remained defiant against International criticism regarding his involvement in the Burundi violence which has killed almost 70 people. The vitriol from Shingiro, Burundi’s UN Ambassador is directed at Africa as well as the western powers. But even if Nkurunziza manages in clinging to office, his regime’s shaken confidence, lack of legitimacy and socio-political crisis mean that his era is inescapably drawing to a close.
While the statement from the AU Commission denouncing the planned election was a welcome gesture, it is, however, not an ineffective remedy of solving the crisis. Africa has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the natural workings of its cold-hearted leaders will not produce social harmony. They won’t. Africa ÔÇô a united Africa – has a role to play in resolving the abuse of people by its leaders. It is no longer about statements of condemnation. It’s now about specific mechanisms and programs to achieve the outcomes we all seek.
The truth is that African leaders are failing to be honest peace brokers in the region. It is very sad that when a member state is at loggerheads with another or when citizens of a member state are at loggerheads with their government, little is done to protect the citizens. Corrupted leaders who are keeping Africa at a bay of success and development should be nipped in the bud. Nkurunziza, like most undemocratic Presidents in Africa, is currently in the abyss and it will take much more than just pep talk for him to recover some of his bounce. The prospects for him and his cronies look bleak following a chorus of condemnation from the international community, including the tolerant AU.
Burundi is currently on the precipice as a result of appalling leadership. Nkurunziza is in a very bad state. Internally, the economy is in meltdown, with international aid groups threatening to pull out, unemployment on the rise and protests triggering an exodus of about 127,000 into neighbouring countries.
Externally, Nkurunziza ‘tolerant’ fellow African leaders are finally running out of patience. While the African Union (AU) cannot force Nkurunziza to stand down, they are in effect challenging his political legitimacy, African heads of state are signalling that the end is nigh.
While the only thing that Burundi has done well is to hold elections regularly, I am hopeful that no African leader will jump the gun and make reckless statements before the official conclusion of the already flawed election process. These are not elections as we are meant to believe.
Nkurunziza might be defiant ÔÇô for now, but the truth is, his cronies are already suffering from a breakdown of will, deciding the game is no longer worth the candle. His controversial third term bid is a sign of weakness rather than strength. If the plan was to weaken the people’s resolve, it seems not to have worked as some of his own cronies, including the Vice president have opposed his third-term bid.
African dictators must understand that we are not options to one another. Criticism is not unconstructiveness, but a way of appreciating our diverse differences. These differences are meant to be integrated and bring us to a place of commonality.
