{UAH} Rwanda, Burundi fire back after US rebukes leaders for 'power grabs'

Rwanda and Burundi fired back on Monday against US claims of "blatant power grabs" by the presidents of the two Great Lakes countries.

And in addition to lashing Washington, the Bujumbura and Kigali governments attacked one another. Each accused the other of supporting rebel forces intent on destabilising legitimate authority.

The remarks by the Rwandan, Burundian and US representatives during a United Nations Security Council debate were unusually undiplomatic.

A Rwandan minister directly warned the US ambassador to the UN not to speak critically of President Paul Kagame. And a senior Burundian official told the Security Council that "it is absolutely unacceptable that some appoint themselves as judges over our countries."

The two diplomats' angry rejoinders were triggered by US Ambassador Samantha Power's claim that "democratic processes are being deliberately undermined" in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as in Rwanda and Burundi.

Citing an "accelerating trend" in the Great Lakes region, Ambassador Power charged that in each of those four countries "leaders make increasingly blatant power grabs to remain in office" while closing media outlets, arresting critics and intimidating civil-society groups.

That prompted Rwanda Minister of State for Cooperation Eugene-Richard Gasana to suggest that the US envoy should not "confuse her name with her assignment."

"Ms Power," he said, "doesn't have power over Rwanda."

Mr Gasana called the US criticisms of Mr Kagame "unacceptable." Referring to the Rwandan leader as "this very precious man" and "our hero," Mr Gasana turned toward the US delegation in the Security Council chamber and admonished its members, "Don't ever dare, ever, to treat him that way."

Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Burundi's minister for external relations, said in response to Ambassador Power's criticisms of his country that "some talk today in 2016 as they used to refer to African countries in the 1950s, giving orders to fully sovereign nations." Burundi, he declared, is "not a colony of anyone."

Although united in their umbrage over US allegations, the Rwandan and Burundian representatives also exchanged barbs.

Mr Nyamitwe charged that Rwanda is supporting armed groups seeking to overthrow President Nkurunziza. 

Mr Gasana rejected that claim, and said the Burundi government is ignoring slaughters of its own citizens and is "working with" the group responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Contrary to "rhetoric used in the council," Mr Nyamitwe insisted that Burundi's security situation is improving. 

No Ugandan representative took part in Monday's debate, and the country's UN ambassador, Richard Nduhuura, did not return a message requesting comment on Ambassador Power's speech to the Security Council.

DRC Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda N'Tungamulongo did participate in the six-hour council session, assuring UN delegates that "continued reforms are underway to consolidate democracy and rule of law" in his country.

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Rwanda--Burundi-fire-back-after-US-rebukes-for-power-grabs/-/1066/3129844/-/1mcpj4z/-/index.html

Brian M. Kwesiga