{UAH} BURUNDI FOILED COUP ATTEMPT UNDERMINED THE PEOPLES' POWER IN FAVOUR OF NKURUNZIZA
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BURUNDI FOILED COUP ATTEMPT UNDERMINED THE PEOPLES' POWER IN FAVOUR OF NKURUNZIZA
On 27th April 2015 protests broke out in the capital Bujumbura against President Nkurunziza's intentions to contest for a third term in elections set for June 2015. The protests that were predominantly comprised of urban youths from the unprivileged class had entered a successful third week before the attempted military coup hijacked it two days ago. Though initially lacking proper political opposition and civil society focused guidance, the third week was slated to witness a formidable stand off.
The protest had gained legitimacy inside the country, in the region and internationally. The regional leaders in the region who had convened in Tanzania would not have arrived at any other solution other than urging President Nkurunziza to pull out of the Presidential contest. With sustained domestic, regional and international pressure, President Nkurunziza would have risked isolation if he would not heed to the call.
The army had initially played a neutral role by providing a buffer zone between the protesters and the the Police and the paramilitary CNDD-FDD youth wingers (Imbonerakure). Though the protesters had lost about 15 of their member, several injured and been contained in the suburbs, they were gaining upper hand. They had been able to pick enough courage to beat up and in some instances disarm their attackers. They had managed to capture one Imbonerakure and burnt him to death.
ut of the blue, an army General without proper planning and analysis of the general situation on the ground, simply went on radio to announce that he had overthrown President Nkurunziza. The protesters declared victory and abandoned their protests by going into celebrations and merry making. What had started as a popular mass uprising turned into an attempted military coup that threatened to tear the army apart. That development provided anOPPORTUNITY
to Nkurunziza's loyalists to met their wrath on all those they had all along longed to harm.
The regional and international opinion shifted from simpathising with the legitimate protests to condemning the attempted coup. The military Generals who had all along been in bed with Nkurunziza and had access to all military means to overthrow him had not done so. Now that the unarmed civilians had initiated their move, these opportunistic military Generals simply jumped in solely to seize the opportunity to grab power. It happened in Egypt when the military hoodwinked the protesters by stage managing a take over and indictment of former President Mubarak and very soon Mubarak will be aFREE man. ur people dont learn from history even when it is very recent.
Now that the coup has failed, President Nkurunziza is to use that excuse to extend elections, purge his opponents, force others to flee thus another rebellion that will drag in regional players. For Nkurunziza, the attempted coup presented a golden opportunity for him to hold on power by all means. However, the incident is a testimony of how peoples' power is supreme. The role of the military can not be ignored in such a situation but it should be subjected to the civilian authority (people's power) if such mass uprising is to achieve its intended objective. ne can rightly argue that Gen Niyombare and company came in to early. The best should have been for the General to lead the protests.
Burundians should quicklyRESUME protests but in a more organized way and push on with their demands until Nkurunziza drops his third term bid. By Geographical comparison with Kampala city, the city of Bujumbura is much smaller. The hot spots of the protests like cibitoke, Kinama, Ngagara, Mutakura and Nyakabiga can be compared to Nankulabye, Kasubi, Bwaise, Kawempe, and Mulago in Kampala. State House in Bujumbura is found in the posh areas of Kiriri/Kigobe that can be compared with Nakasero and Kololo. The major three military camps i.e the infamous Muha barracks, the military academy and the maximum prison are located in Musaga which can be compared to Bugolobi and industrial area in Kampala. The Police Headquarters is located in Nyakabiga area which can be compared to Nakulabye in Kampala. The city centre in Bujumbura that spreads to Lake Tanganyika can be compared to areas of Katwe, Makindye and Nsambya in Kampala spreading to Lake Victoria in Gaba. The infamous swahili speaking Burundians and congolese occupy area of Buyenzi and Bwiza which can be compared to Nateete and Ndeeba in Kampala but these residents have not been active in protests. Behind Buyenzi and Bwiza is the industrial zone through which goes the road to the airport. The national radio and television are located in the city center area of Kabondo that can be compared to Muyenga in Kampala. The private radio stations from where the fugitive General made announcement of the coup is in the city center thus the first time the protesters dared to reach the city center. The major hot spots of the protests are separated from the rest of the city by a big River Ntahangwa which provides a tactical advantage for the Police in containing the spread of the protest. The University of Burundi is located in Nyakabiga but the students have not been involved in protests instead they took refuge at the USA embassy square. The Uganda Embassy is located in Mutanga which is compared to Naguru in Kampala. That is the rough comparison sketch map of Bujumbura city.
INFORMATION IS POWER
The protest had gained legitimacy inside the country, in the region and internationally. The regional leaders in the region who had convened in Tanzania would not have arrived at any other solution other than urging President Nkurunziza to pull out of the Presidential contest. With sustained domestic, regional and international pressure, President Nkurunziza would have risked isolation if he would not heed to the call.
The army had initially played a neutral role by providing a buffer zone between the protesters and the the Police and the paramilitary CNDD-FDD youth wingers (Imbonerakure). Though the protesters had lost about 15 of their member, several injured and been contained in the suburbs, they were gaining upper hand. They had been able to pick enough courage to beat up and in some instances disarm their attackers. They had managed to capture one Imbonerakure and burnt him to death.
ut of the blue, an army General without proper planning and analysis of the general situation on the ground, simply went on radio to announce that he had overthrown President Nkurunziza. The protesters declared victory and abandoned their protests by going into celebrations and merry making. What had started as a popular mass uprising turned into an attempted military coup that threatened to tear the army apart. That development provided anOPPORTUNITY
to Nkurunziza's loyalists to met their wrath on all those they had all along longed to harm.The regional and international opinion shifted from simpathising with the legitimate protests to condemning the attempted coup. The military Generals who had all along been in bed with Nkurunziza and had access to all military means to overthrow him had not done so. Now that the unarmed civilians had initiated their move, these opportunistic military Generals simply jumped in solely to seize the opportunity to grab power. It happened in Egypt when the military hoodwinked the protesters by stage managing a take over and indictment of former President Mubarak and very soon Mubarak will be aFREE
man. ur people dont learn from history even when it is very recent.Now that the coup has failed, President Nkurunziza is to use that excuse to extend elections, purge his opponents, force others to flee thus another rebellion that will drag in regional players. For Nkurunziza, the attempted coup presented a golden opportunity for him to hold on power by all means. However, the incident is a testimony of how peoples' power is supreme. The role of the military can not be ignored in such a situation but it should be subjected to the civilian authority (people's power) if such mass uprising is to achieve its intended objective. ne can rightly argue that Gen Niyombare and company came in to early. The best should have been for the General to lead the protests.
Burundians should quicklyRESUME
protests but in a more organized way and push on with their demands until Nkurunziza drops his third term bid. By Geographical comparison with Kampala city, the city of Bujumbura is much smaller. The hot spots of the protests like cibitoke, Kinama, Ngagara, Mutakura and Nyakabiga can be compared to Nankulabye, Kasubi, Bwaise, Kawempe, and Mulago in Kampala. State House in Bujumbura is found in the posh areas of Kiriri/Kigobe that can be compared with Nakasero and Kololo. The major three military camps i.e the infamous Muha barracks, the military academy and the maximum prison are located in Musaga which can be compared to Bugolobi and industrial area in Kampala. The Police Headquarters is located in Nyakabiga area which can be compared to Nakulabye in Kampala. The city centre in Bujumbura that spreads to Lake Tanganyika can be compared to areas of Katwe, Makindye and Nsambya in Kampala spreading to Lake Victoria in Gaba. The infamous swahili speaking Burundians and congolese occupy area of Buyenzi and Bwiza which can be compared to Nateete and Ndeeba in Kampala but these residents have not been active in protests. Behind Buyenzi and Bwiza is the industrial zone through which goes the road to the airport. The national radio and television are located in the city center area of Kabondo that can be compared to Muyenga in Kampala. The private radio stations from where the fugitive General made announcement of the coup is in the city center thus the first time the protesters dared to reach the city center. The major hot spots of the protests are separated from the rest of the city by a big River Ntahangwa which provides a tactical advantage for the Police in containing the spread of the protest. The University of Burundi is located in Nyakabiga but the students have not been involved in protests instead they took refuge at the USA embassy square. The Uganda Embassy is located in Mutanga which is compared to Naguru in Kampala. That is the rough comparison sketch map of Bujumbura city. INFORMATION IS POWER
Posted by Uganda - A Change of Guards! a
Viele GruBe
Robukui
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