Burundi senate tackles historical imbalances
By Geresom Musamali
The re-introduction of the Burundi Senate has addressed very historical imbalances between the Hutu, Tutsi and the Twa (pygmies) as well as dealt with gender issues.
Burundi got its independence on July 28, 1962. King Mwambutsa IV promulgated a new constitution on October 16, of the following year, with a provision for a bi-cameral (two house) Parliament, that is, the National Assembly and the Senate. The Senate then came into existence after May 1965, with eight elected members, four co-opted ones and four others appointed by the king.
 Burundi’s Lower House of Parliament. Burundi has a two house Parliament consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate
“Unfortunately the First Senate did not last long because the new King, Ntare V, suspended the Constitution on July 8, 1966, and dissolved the Parliament,” says Senate president Gervais Rufyikiri.
“A few months later, on November 28, 1966, Capt. Michel Micombero brought an end to monarchism and the electoral system. The senate did not re-appear until after the Arusha Agreement of August 28, 2000,” he adds.
Melchior Simbaruhije, the Senate Chef de Cabinet (permanent secretary), explains that the Arusha Peace Agreement assessed the long Burundi conflict as: “basically a political upheaval with extremely significant ethnic dimensions, arising from a political class struggle to come to power and remain in power”.
Simbaruhije says it was suggested that the remedy for avoiding the renewal of a similar drama was the promulgation of a new constitution inspired by the Burundian realities and the organisation of state institutions, so that they could be able to integrate and reassure all Burundians.
“It is in this context and prospect that the transition Senate was created. It is at the same time a reconciliation element and a controller of the reconciliation process,” says Simbaruhije.
He says: “This creation was materialised by the transition constitution of October 28, 2001, which devoted a legislative power exerted by the bicameral Parliament. We ensured that we took into account the political, ethnic and religious considerations in constituting the new Senate.”
The result is that former presidents Jean Baptiste Bagaza, Pierre Buyoya and Sylvester Ntibantunganya are all members of the Senate. Three people have also been nominated to represent the Twa. Each of the 17 provinces of Burundi elects two senators, one of them a Hutu and the other a Tutsi through an electoral college. The Constitution also stipulates that at least 30% of all the senators must be women and parties that have garnered at least 5% of the votes in the national polls nominate a member to be co-opted into the senate.
“The Senate is in charge of a general mission of control of the Arusha Agreement implementation and the constitutional provisions implementation that require balance in the composition of any elements of the public office or defence and safety units,” says Rufyikiri.
“The Senate in particular must approve amendments of the Constitution and organic bills before they become law, and also approve any law texts concerning delimitations, attributions and territorial entities capacities. It can also originate its own bills for examination by the National Assembly,” he adds.
The people of Burundi can now rest assured that no sectarian law will ever pass through the legislative process, mainly because the Senate does not even operate along political party lines.
GOOD HARVEST: A farmer transporting vegetables to the market |
Burundians thrilled by the EAC
After 10 years of waiting, Burundi and Rwanda were, last year, admitted to the East Africa Community (EAC). There is a palpable sense of optimism hanging around the whole country that things will be far better off than before. Joseph Batte talked to a cross section of Burundians. Excerpts...
Joseph Bukobero, a civil servant:
My personal feelings about Burundi joining the EAC can be summed up in one word – thrilled. The fact that there will be no visa restrictions for the citizens of the member states and free movement of goods and services is exciting. This will boost development and tourism in the region making it the largest one-stop tourist attraction on the African continent.
Shadia Nabasa, a Ugandan working in a restaurant in Buyenzi:
All I can say is that am very happy about it. It will enable other Ugandans back home to learn about Burundi cultures as well. When I came here, I did not know any other language apart from English, Luganda and Runyankore. But now I have learnt Kirundi, Swahili and French. I am now able to communicate with more people than before.
 TOILING: Transporting merchandise on a cart
Leopold, a Congolese taxi driver:
I have never been to Uganda, but I understand there are so many things that are cheap. This is the time to get an opportunity to visit the country and other regions. The most important thing is that the economies of the five countries will be enhanced.
Aloys Mbonininkuye, the technical director in Susomu Sugar factory:
Joining the EAC can only be described as ‘beautiful’ for the people of Burundi, especially in economic terms. Geographi-cally Burundi is a very small country with a small population, yet we produce food beyond our consumption levels. This, perhaps, is one of the reasons why our economy is very low.
When the borders of the EAC countries are opened, there will be free movement of goods, migration of ideas and technologies which will help our country to grow and raise our standards of living.
Denise, a waitress in Rem Hotel, Bujumbura:
Burundi story has been sad for a decade or so. It is a story of struggle and ethnic conflicts that claimed hundreds of thousand of our people. But now there is hope things are going to be better, now that we have joined the EAC. Every peace-loving national should rejoice because our brothers and sisters in the other countries will not just watch again as we slaughter each other.
Alphonse Sindayigaya, a vendor in Bujumbura Main Market:
Right now everybody is trying to survive. There is little buying power here. But joining the EAC means we will attract more investments to the country, which will in turn mean creating more jobs and wealth for us. We have every hope that things will get better now.
Omar Rugerinyange:
I am a regular visitor to Uganda and I am amazed at the level of development there. Here, in Bujumbura we are literally sleeping. Now that the doors of the EAC have been flung open for us, it means many Burundians businessmen will travel to Uganda and see what it means to work and learn from you. That is my only prayer.
Uwimana from Bujumbura university:
When you consider the language of the people in the East African region, the culture, the economic and social aspects, we are actually one people. Coming together was just a matter of time. History has been fulfiled. Thanks be to God.
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