USA-Africa : how not to spoil opportunities

"The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit should not be seen as the beginning of a process, but rather as another important step in ongoing U.S. engagement with Africa.", suggestion of Amadou Sy

At the end, be humble : Andrew Young might teach you things. "Once back home, listen to your elders!!" This was one of the advice I got from there.

It is very well said that USA and Africa - in general- want this summit a “dynamic opportunity”. I thought that there is no way interests and stakes can be fully analyzed in three days. And I do agree, Heads of States are just political symbols to work on such an opportunity. Furthermore, even though it’s a first such huge summit in USA –we know such events happened between France, Japan, China, India- and Africa, but let’s agree - as I noticed-, USA is different from those other countries, though both of them members of G7 or whatsoever “world’s tankers”.

Hugeness of the event: Look here, seeing the list of attending Presidents and Heads of Governments, this gathering had never happened before and nowhere. Of course, taking a

With Amadou Sy

flight to Washington DC is different from flying to Beijing or to Tokyo. If economy, let’s say commerce and trade are the main topic to focus on, what an opening to penetrate that Connecticut Avenue: World Bank.  What a notch to target who to negotiate with.  Yes, Dr Jim Yong Kim was one of the inaugurating officers. Though Russia, Brazil, South Africa, India “innovate” by trying to start another common financial institution, the World Bank / IFM –just to name these-, “can be only in USA”. Otherwise, people discussing if it is a WB-Africa or a US-Africa event, that’s no issue. USA remains the key player. People need to target with who/how/when to negotiate and make contracts. Again, this isn’t the Heads of States/Governments’ role. I even doubt if they are really skilled for that.

Missing prospect: Let’s consider a small but strategic country such Burundi. It has been a great opportunity for that country to have its President around and be received –the first hours- by the State Secretary. What a procedure chance? However, in terms of strategic communication, this is how Burundi can’t spoil the occasion: setting up this summit, President Obama didn’t go toBurundi, neither did the SecretaryKerry.  We can find out the reasons of the kind of choices. But, governance and cultural motive stay on the top. Here is my point: as far as I know, President Nkurunziza knows enough English not to address to USA in French, especially in a kind of short but very important press conference. Here are the facts: he was hosted, escorted and led by John Kerry –who speaks very well French too-. Besides, he still needs “to read” –to be concise and clear-, as Kerry did. Besides this procedure, the “we have peace keepers in Somalia, CAR, etc.” looks needing updates. Oh, what that has to do- straight away- with energy, trade, investing in the future generation, health, etc., the main focus of the summit? By the way, did anybody see a Burundi National Statement about the summit?

Still a way out: Let’s agree that, Burundi doesn’t yet decide on its geopolitical and cultural spots despite the “Global” realities, process and stakes. It would be pleasing and foreseeing, though, if the country’s Health/Trade/Energy and electricity/ Ministers are of the delegation. My message is that Bush and his global policy on HIV/AIDS, same as the Clinton’s AGOA are more than currently active. In fact, though I am not an economic strategist, looking on the list of CEOs who attended the summit, Burundi to be represented by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism is indistinguishable. Comparatively, South Africa, Rwanda, Malawi, Ethiopia, etc., are represented by specific companies: local airways companies, energy companies, and the like. The reason might be “keeping the opportunity dynamic.” They will be meeting detailed American counterparts and governmental institutions.

A factual Anecdote: Find and read it. It is written, black and white! As Washington hosted the World Bank spring summit, a seat was reserved to Burundi representative on a panel, just aside Ban Kimoon, World Bank President, MichaelBloomberg, Lawrence Summers,  and Margaret Chan. Was that for a fair reason? We all know the country still have ways to go in terms of development. It is said that they wanted to encourage the small and economically less competitive country which is, however, trying to provide some health services to its inhabitants. Guess what –if you don’t read the written article and from a rather trustful source-: the Burundi Representative didn’t attend that day’s activities. The seat was then taken by the powerful Nigerian female Minister. “At least, scientists, decision makers, etc., in the hall would have learned more about the small country’s realities” laughed an analyst.   Last, “even though international community wouldn’t financially support us, we will organize elections” (Nduwimana,E.). Really?

Takeaway: I was not neither the first nor the last to witness and participate in many and active –from independent institutions/organizations- conferences and forum, on Africa as well as the rest of the world. Diplomatically, “it’s a shame that dictators and ‘eternal’ Presidents are hosted in that democracy”, and by the Man at the end of his Term, said a political opponent in Benin. Nevertheless, how the “apathetic hands shake” between Kerry and Kompaore would be understood or interpreted? Who said “Museveni’s politicalstrategies want last longer?”  For sure, President Mugabe, Bashir, the Eritrean’s being shun doesn’t mean that all those who attended the summit are well seen by USA. USA’s Interests count too. “USA is a country that plan and acts for and on a long term. The general culture there is to give opportunities to everyone, on some conditions”, did I learn. 

Suggestion : African Leaders, take good model. Some would prefere heroes and here, identifying to who has succeeded would be rather human being. African Leaders, go and learn, at least, listen to people like Charlayne Hunter-Gault,  Sen. Gregory W. Meeks, Loretta Ross, Andrew Young (this humanitarian is even brought to you), Billye Aaron, Jimmy Carter, Vicki R. Palmer, and others. Go and visit/be inspired by memorials. Be humble! 


Audace Machado  

When America landed in Burundi

In all-different- countries, governmental policies call what the UN defined as "MGO". This health and infrastructure, social and economic case is a proof of some political/leadership contradictions and opportunities : American missionaries had to be understood in such a poor area, Murore. A whole history has been destroyed-and still-...Yes, the local government is responsible of that dying hospital, but everyone shall be concerned.    hard not only for patient, but also to the medical crew, we face many complicated cases as there is no blood bank, etc.” showed that hospital’s Doctor in Chief. He added, “Visiting the whole hospital, you will realize that the Hospital has, actually, a capacity of 52 people, admitted, what can’t be effective, to stay realistic.” Shall I add to this prior picturing, no way to avoid the suffocating smell, an indication of a number of challenges to meet, especially, the poor hygiene. 

Audace Machado 

Written in September, 2012

The maternity

At the beginning, just a relief tent! The hospital of Murore - in the province of Cankuzo- is at the service of the population since 1945. It all started with a tent that an American missionary settled then, there. That hospital remained of a regional reputation through its services, especially, “I guess that was one of the best hospital for surgery in this African region”, had assured me late Philippe Kanonko,   born in there. More than a simple health center, it hosted urgent cases and for more difficult throughout Burundi, some patients of Rwanda and Tanzania. It is under the second Republic that this hospital was nationalized.

Hope? Nevertheless, the hospital of Murore is today –since decades- facing the difficulties of operation due to a number of reasons: the lack of competent personnel for the effective of patients suffering from different ailments. The little modern equipment available at that hospital are of paramount importance, but unfortunately, do not operate because of insufficient or lack of power, simply. It is among other things a sterilizer unit, a distiller, electric sink, a fridge from the morgue, etc. Nevertheless, a generator helps in an emergency and is used for small devices that do not require much energy. Let’s keep the kind of facts without forgetting that, getting petrol is a big deal there.

“An evil never comes alone!” This lack of equipment, compounded –and through decades- a lack of drinking water, and electricity, particularly, paralyses the emergency section, laboratory, just to name the few services, including the maternity bloc. Anesthetic equipment exists but has no technician to make it work. By the way, “we have three beds, three mattresses, and linked mosquito nets. But, in case of surgery, it’s

MEDRETE 15-1 Medic readiness & training. Jan, 2015

Just a helping hand! Besides the above description, four doctors perform full time to face kinds "insurmountable" challenges especially in orthopedics’ sections or ultrasound, yet much solicited. Responsible for this health structure, the supply continues, and would be seen as an advantage. But it remains a great dream in 25 km from the center of the Province of Cankuzo, itself deprived of electricity. However, the hospital of Murore remains the relief of patients coming from the border provinces of Cankuzo, even from Tanzania, the neighboring country.

Mandela’s Legacy: Honored to Interact with Ambassador Lyman

“In South Africa, we learned that people don’t need to play the majority and minority game, because what is majority today may not be tomorrow and, is the illiterate majority worth?” (Ambassador E. Rasool)

Thanks N.Bidadanure [ a bit to know about him(p.19)], your email brought me to this discussion.

Audace Machado 

Nobody would say the contrast about the greatness of

Lyman,Roelf,Bhabha & Rasool

Mandela, especially,

First, it is still “the mourning time”. Ambassador Princeton N. Lyman, this is how you started your letter to the audience of the conference.

The key question & Second -and from my point of view-, because Mandela acted unexpectedly. We can elaborate a lot about what and how he 27 years suffered in jail. We can write pages and deliver tones of words about his decision and strategy of an only one presidential term. But my question still: should this huge man, or should every kinds of great figure, despite their law and/or related skills, accept to be involved, as Mandela did, in other countries’ conflicts? (Listen from the 1:27' -the 10 first min.are empty-)It’s a kind of dilemma of mine considering, on one hand, the Human being’s “Responsibility” if I understood well Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and, on the other hand, the fact that “Each conflict is unique”, witness of Roelf Meyer.

Should Mandela have involved in other countries’ conflicts? I liked, as no one on the stage did answer to my question. Tim Phillips elaborated, in expert, how Tata tried to help in the North Ireland Conflict. Some –me included- just mentioned his work in Israeli & Palestinian conflict. I said a bit more about his work in the Burundi and DRC negotiations. Seeing what’s on in these two countries, I may say that, He –as a person and as an institution-, didn’t end up the job! Does it mean, he failed? The other thing you liked the Man is his philosophy in the South African conflict, “This is our country, and it is our responsibility to resolve its problems.” did you write.

Is Mandela to be blamed in DRC, Burundi, Israel-Palestine or North Ireland? In another conference Roger Meece highlighted the fact that the peace is totally linked to good leadership and to social and economic justice. In DRC, I never understand why people don’t want to see and discuss about the truth: I have - in a last observation- shared a point that demonstrates the Congolese conflict looking not mainly economic, but as a country management problem.     

Mobutu, Tata & Kabila L.

In addition to what Ambassador Meece reported, he tended to simplify things as people in the street do, “The invasion of Kinshasa from the Rwanda”, he said while evoking the collapse of Mobutu. “How can we evaluate the strength of inside and outside influences in a conflict management”, did you, Ambassador Lyman asked. “Zimbabwe is the highly good example”, Mohammed Bhabha skillfully exemplified.  Hereupon, I pretended a “weakness” of Ambassador Meece analyzing the collapse of Mobutu: did Mandela realize that Wa Zabanga was a dying person? In other words, did Tata fancy that the Maréchal was not anymore able to organize and command the Zairian troops to protect his invaded Zaire? Did Ambassador Meece forget the Kabila long and complex fight? Did Nelson forget that the Kabila, as a freedom fighter, was sponsored from far –written analysis name China, Cuba, etc. - and from Zaire neighbors –Rwanda and Tanzania-? I would bring him a ‘friend’ who –still alive-hosted Kabila Mzee and Chegevala in my Burundi, the 1960’s. Otherwise, how do we call the Angolan and allied deeds in Zaire, that time of Kabila’s occupying the “New Congo”?

Dear Ambassador, I know that your colleague Meece knows all these aspects. I know that Madiba and colleagues knew that. But why did he accepted to get in that kind of “Business”? For the visibility of his homeland, may anyone says. 

As Mandela won in Cape Town, he would win in Arusha, as well. Simply said, I suspect the political and business reasons pushing some people to manipulate conflicts. Don’t we say, there is no moral neither in politics nor in business? Don’t we hear that South Africa, since some years, is acting as a ruling country in sub-Sahara? Yes, many wrote about the linkage between countries’ history. Just an anecdotic example: I grew up singing that melody

which is the both the Tanzanian, South African and Zambian National Anthem. Besides, Kikwete’s speech during the Mandela burial ceremonies –Qunu- was also commented as linked to the Tanzania support to “Umkoto we Sizwe” as “Freedom fighter troops. Did you hear that? Last, November 2012, as Tanzania decided to go in Easter DRC, I was in Kampala and covered that summit to just repeat Faulkner, W. “The past is not dead. In fact, it’s not even past.” And you heard what soon later happened between Rwanda and Tanzania high authorities.

Mpilo was misunderstood in his ‘No Future without Forgiveness”. Can we talk about the enlightened despotism between the Archbishop and his contemporaries and Apartheid combatant-fellows?  If yes, what did Madiba do with Mpilo’s thought? I had observed and listen to Mr. Yalengi at Hopkins. He held the same logic, as that Congolese addressed to Meece: the division has been brought in the great lakes by colonialists, “the Belgians”, he always precise.  “We can’t ignore or deny that Hutu, Tutsi, Congolese speaking Kinyarwanda, etc., exist in the Great Lakes.”, Meece responded. No Belgians are killing great

Pacifique (L), Bish.Tutu

lakes inhabitants, but they -or others- can sponsor those killings for some reasons. One way may be to redefine the people’s identities. Just some examples: I had interview with Makanika, M. and people didn’t call him a Tutsi. Maybe as he has integrated the Congolese reformed army. Nobody call Moise Katumbi a non-Congolese as he stabilizes the Katanga province. But, through 2007-2008, Nkunda was immediately identified as a Rwandese. The same was the M23. (Expert can elaborate about these examples). Oh, just when Kikwete got in troubles with Kagame, people “discovered” his wife being a cousin of late Habyarimana (double check). 

In Burundi, as some rebels were fighting from the Eastern part of Congo, so few denounced J.B. Ndayikengurukiye –for example- as a Burundian, in there. So few wrote about Burundian and Rwandese rebels initiating that crime of raping women in that part of Congo. (…) 

An Ironic turn of fate or where the hope may be: In 2008, as the conflict was open in Goma, a newspaper in Switzerland ordered a report. I started the observation from Bujumbura: a road named “Avenue du Zaire”.  The Rwandese and Congolese embassies are just aside. Across the road, in front the two buildings, there is the “Zairian school” where both Congolese, Burundian and Rwandese children continued to attend classes with no harm. I therefore crossed the border towards Uvira, meeting

Amb.Johnnie Carson

Congolese, especially merchants who, each day, cross the border for their business and banking in Burundi. On the other side, in Bukavu, people were scared. Some killings were reported in the surrounding hills. But in the town and on the border with Rwanda –Kamembe-, life hadn’t changed.  People keep crossing the border for their affairs: young people from Rwandan land going to school in Bukavu and vice-versa. Far in the east, in the Rwandese University town –Butare-, people looked calm, but some news were mixing with rumors. Once in Goma, as in Gisenyi –the opposite town, in Rwanda-, life were normal. I passed the nights in a hotel ‘between’ Goma and Gisenyi, and like every sunset, the migration of people, especially women going to look for “dollars” in the UN staffs stayed unchanged. But you could see UN military trucks patrolling inside Goma. Refugees, especially from Rutshuru and Kiwanja were gathered and surviving at one of the Goma’s Catholic Church.  I ended my report inside the “Camp Zaire”. It’s a slum within Kigali where Congolese lived continuously even through the 1994 genocide. 

                                                                                                   

Dear Ambassador Lyman, for me, these two neighboring countries are illustration of how a non-well defined problem is difficult to find solution. In addition to this conflict management starting point, I have to rely on what Mpilo meant in his famous book: we are not to forget what bad we did to each other. There is no future without truth and justice. And each people has to define what kind of justice appropriate to what crime were committed. Very hard as, “our enemies live with us and are going to stay with us”, focus of M. Bhabha.

Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.  The forgiveness proponed by Tutu is complicated for the two countries which choose the Truth and Reconciliation commission but still fail to start the commission. No way! Ambassador, you said “great idea” when Roef, M. mentioned Mandela’s logic in negotiation, inclusiveness: “We have to help each other to be part of the solution.” This inclusiveness failed either in South African or in Burundian negotiation. “We were disappointed to not seeing

Pres.Buyoya signing

business people involved in Truth & Reconciliation commission. It was largely Africaans and people from the security.” Regarding Mandela and his involvement in the Burundi negotiation, “his” lose may be defined by the fact that “He” wanted only “key political dominant- Key players-” (political parties- G7 or parties representing Hutu, and G10 or parties representing Tutsi- and rebel groups). Forgotten, or minimized were people from the civil society (religious, Non-Government Organizations, youth). For example, one important group which played a big role in the Burundian history is the “Women”. They were not invited as that social and economic actors of the Nation.

In other words, although Mandela was proponent of the UN 1325 Resolution, the 30% female representation in the institutions was negotiated without the concerned. And I agree that lesson learned and defended by Ambassador E. Rasool, “In conflicts, people’s nature rely on what they want to protect from the past”. And that was the case in the peace negotiation between Burundians.

Dear Ambassador, you also mentioned the strength of Mandela influencing his country fellows to stand behind the agreements they made. With reference to his facilitation in the inter-Burundians peace accord, he happened to attire the International community to witness what was on. Among other great personalities, Bill Clinton was in Arusha to witness the peace accord signature. Now –and the case in DRC may count too-, there is a shyness of the international assistance in updating what Burundian signed while they, on their side, accusing each other of trying to manipulate the law for political interests.

If Mandela failed as a mediator, why can’t we learn from that?  Ambassador Lyman, I liked you mentioning it in the end of your letter, “Not all lessons from South Africa are readily transferrable to other conflicts”, what you illustrated with the fail you realized on Mbeki–as the chief Africa Union mediator- in the South-Sudan Conflict.

Not only Mbeki failed, in Sudan & South-Sudan, but also his crew –highly including Pierre Buyoya, key negotiator under –Nyelele- Mandela facilitation in the inter-Burundian negotiation. In addition to these personalities, if we agree the glass of water half full/half empty of chances in Sudan & South-Sudan peace process, institutions – United Nations, African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes, the African Great Lakes Initiative, the Nile Basin Initiative, the East Africa Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, etc.- failed too.

Goma, people celebrate:
a rumor said Kagame was dead

Learning from errors. In the conference you facilitate, M. Bhabha highlighted the South African great issue: “the mindset”. He tried to make the link between that concept and the xenophobia that that one of the African country leader still face. I’d suggest, Mandela and other super influential personalities and Organizations involved in the Burundi peace accord, should help young Burundians to benefit from better education than what they struggle for. The example of Rwanda is really talkative, and this would be the basement of Amb. Rasool that I do back, “Each country still need leadership to evolve and keep its unity.” Besides, we do owe to Mandela, “Education is the most powerful we upon which you can use to change the world.” By the way, I am tortured when I read –just as an example- some online comments about Burundi and DRC, from supposed literate people: verbal ethnic/xenophobia hatred! Where, Lord, these countries head to?

Burundi, Special Re-education for Warrior's Heart : who cares?

Go, and ask every time, why Burundi is becoming expert in sending Troops in conflictual African lands. It’s not the only country to do so, though. Uganda is doing the same in Somalia. Rwanda did the same in Sudan. Can people understand Kenya fighting in Somalia? What about Tanzania doing so in East-DRC? If geopolitics, business and security matter,  humanitarian issues should matter first. Is Burundi preparing its future generation by simply sending its children to new conflict grounds? Why/how different countries are supporting the Burundi Security Institutions? The big issue is, “(...) even though you didn't kill somebody directly, you were involved in that (...): the War Deeds!

Audace Machado

Troops, Panafricanism and business illusions. Nothing else than that. I remember discussing

picture by AP

with my “friend”, late Mamadou Bah. He demonstrated to me how Burundi is benefiting by sending its troops in Somalia - by that time-: “Look, Burundian soldiers’ salary is nothing for someone who won’t stay in that career forever. Economically, at least, some of those guys need to earn a little bit much money to prepare their future.” But, the Ambassador didn’t want to argue more about any country -in such- commitment, in terms of business. Nobody would publicly talk about that ‘business’ as the elder did : “I am not the kind of man who shall argue about Burundi or any other country, renting its military resources- people and military devices or equipment, call that as you want, even the street got its denomination about that”, the Ambassador “joked”. He finished, “I knew N’krumah, Nyelele and others before you; I have more chance to discuss with Mandela or Khadafi than you do, to tell you that African conflicts are mainly to be solved by Africans.”

Is Burundi qualified for the military solution in African Conflicts? I wouldn't like to debate about

P.Buyoya in Mali

Burundi skilled people. You will find them in many international institutions, though. Some even on the top level, despite their home country’s Government still need to work for that international recognition. But, as we talk about Military solution in Africa, we first need to get back on where those “experts” are rooted.

Nobody will tell the opposite : there is no dehumanization by repeating the rape phenomenon developed by some street  children. Early 2000’s, women were raped in public streets and inside the Capital City Bujumbura. The government had failed to fight against that situation till some male who were -also victims of that-decided to ‘eradicate’, themselves, the evil. Reason of that? Who ignored that some South-African troops -since 2002- were known of sodomizing those kids? That was reported in every local media. Here is how Mandela -for example- succeeded for his mother country, but failed in Burundi (another topic).

The danger : perpetuation of war mentality by - I’d go far saying-, acquiring new ways of killing or, positively said, surviving in war time. It’s all about war. Politically, if Kenya is fighting against the Al-Shabab in Somalia, we can call that : offensive strategies. We can base on the geography and history of the Horn of Africa. Again, politically and -only- diplomatically, we can understand Burundian troops in Central Africa.

Here are examples of how culture is formatted: Through 2000’s, each Wednesday afternoon, the local cinema hall -Cinecameo- was opened only to South African and Ethiopian UN Troops in Bujumbura. Also allowed at entrance were females, prostitutes essentially. The same, I am afraid Burundian Troops in Mali watch peace-building movies. Some may not trust me, but a paysant woman -Burundian-went to see her mother-in-law to signify : “since my husband came back from Somalia, he sexually changed. He does me some shameful and strange stuffs.”

Besides, not only those Burundians who survive the war in Somalia, in Central Africa, in Ivory Coast, in Mali, etc., are facing new ways and strategies of killing, but they are also in other nature of conflict. I shouldn't be astonished if Burundi starts another war, a religious one in the future!

First outcome: communication strategies. In a french thought, like the troops' families, I mourned. One day, discussing with Late Ambassador Bah, I suggested that there should be communication strategies stating how those soldiers work and the problems, just some -for strategic reasons- dangers they pass through. I thought we can’t hide things eternally. He replied, “This small and beautiful country still need professional leaders”, he simply replied. Few day, as I was in a mission in Rwanda, I got a call from the defense ministry in Burundi. I was asked if I was interested in going in Somalia with some other journalists in an official delegation. I responded that, such a mission is highly national that it should be jointly planned and executed with media managers/editors, supposingly I was in Burundi to go with them. Since then on some occasions, some Burundi embedded  journalists go in Somalia, which is better than nothing.

Second outcome: Through my studies, Dr Petrun taught me -for example- that “there is no simple response to any problem”. In fact, we are living a complex world than few people realize. December 2013, as Major Bernard Busokoza visited Washington, DC, I reported a few about -in French- : Not only as the Burundi 1st Vice-President- in charge of political, diplomatic and security aspects- but also as instructor at the Burundi military academy, he responded that the powerful countries help Burundi in Intelligence domain. There is nothing secret in that USA, Belgium, China, France, Holland and some Arabic Countries (people see and think : is that true?), are backing the Burundian security institutions. What a diversity in such a secret field! What-as mentioned on her twitter, Dec.19th, 2013- should be/was  asked to Samantha Power as she met Burundi Troops in Central Africa?

Visit of the Secr. of Navy Ray Mabus

Third outcome : Burundi civil society has been concerned by these security aspects, which is normal. In an interview, Marguerite Barankitse suggested me :  “Those young people don’t need to everyday carry guns, seated at each corner of the street. They need to be trained for other development activities even being soldiers or police persons.” I went agree in that dream with her, without forgetting what Dr Sinamenye Mathias had told me some times ago : “Scrubland doesn’t teach to manage people or budget.We need to learn that.” In addition, I had learned from Peter Blau that rebel movements are different from army/military institutions in that way, the first fight for political power. Though Burundi still have to go, and besides economic aspects, back to its troops out in Africa or elsewhere, they need mental and trauma healing. Absolutely. That is what I called special education for those special people. Specialized centers may do better than Governmental institutions. For example, Arche Médical de Kigobe has shown its experiments in rehabilitating injured soldiers. There some other trauma healing centers in that small country that might help in that social and medical service. That healing the warrior’s heart is what I do subscribe to.

Education ou politique? Quatre jours de visite du 1er Vice-President Burundais aux USA.

“Ils sont nombreux à vouloir conquérir le pouvoir au Burundi, quels projets pour le pays observez-vous au sein des politiques de tous bords?” Si le politique remporte sur tous les  secteurs au Burundi, plusieurs autres secteurs de la vie du pays en dépendent : les questions autour du nouveau projet de la constitution, l’éducation et l’encadrement des jeunes, le « désordre » à l’Université du Burundi, l’image du pays à l’étranger, l’économie et la justice faisait intérêt de cette rencontre entre le 1^er Vice-Président du Burundi et sa délégation. Officiellement, il sejournait aux USA du 14 au 19 Decembre 2013. 

Audace Machado      Visit in pictures

Quelle compréhension de quelle politique ? Lors de cette rencontre qui a duré deux heures et demie,

après l’introduction du 1^er Vice-Président, brossant la situation socio-économique, politique et sécuritaire, une Dame du nom d’Eulavie Ndura, Professeur d’université, n’a pas tardé de lancer, la première, « Vous voulez changer la constitution pour que le Président Nkurunziza se fasse réélire, en quoi est-ce que ce genre de comportement politique avancera-t-il le Burundi avec son passe lamentable.» Le 1^er Vice-Président d’y aller différemment, « de ce que je sache, le concerné que vous citez n’en a pas encore dit mot, ce n’est pas moi et vous qui allons prononcer quoi que ce soit à sa place. En outre, c’est essentiellement pour des raisons liées au code électoral, a l’intégration à l’EAC qui fondent ce projet de constitution.»  Il ajoutera enfin que le Burundi sera ce que les Burundais de l’intérieur et sa diaspora aura fait de lui.

Quelle image à l’étranger? Alors que Washington attend un nouvel Ambassadeur Burundais, nommé il y a plus d’un mois, les questions de l’image du pays à l’étrangers n’ont pas manqué. Les troupes Burundaises à l’étranger fut une de ces questions. « Apres ce qu’ils ont vécu en Somalie, vous continuez à les y envoyer, certaines gens se limiteront à leur efficacité, mais clairement, si les Américains ne peuvent plus y envoyer les leurs, qu’offrent-ils au Burundi en échange ? » A cette question de Emmanuel Mpfayokurera, le Major Busokoza J. Bernard de répondre que ce n’est plus à prouver que le Burundi fait mieux que plusieurs au monde, surtout en Somalie, et d’ajouter, « si des militaires ont succombé dans ce coin du monde, c’est dans l’ordre normal des choses, en ce qui concerne le genre de mission.» Sans trop de précisions, il a fait savoir que les Américains aident le Burundi dans le domaine des renseignements. Et alors, « pourquoi ces Américains ne bénéficient que d’un visa de trois mois et en termes de 90$, si la gouvernance burundaise est logique ? »

Cette question de Juvénal Nzambimana « pourrait sembler personnelle », disait-il, mais il ajoutait qu’il trouve anormal qu’on veuille que des jeunes aillent étudier aux Etats-Unis, que des investisseurs Américains aillent au Burundi, etc., alors qu’en réalité, on bloque. «Nous ne faisons qu’appliquer la politique de notre gouvernement qui en a décidé ainsi, ça devient même plus compliquée que des Burundais d’origine, payent les 90$ quand ils veulent rentrer à leur terre natale », expliquait Joel Nkurabagaya, le Chargé d’Affaires, avant de demander au 1^er Vice-Président de revoir cette question.

Nous sommes venus négocier un partenariat dans l’éducation : tout le monde a entendu cette annonce du 1^er Vice-Président. « Apres la grève des étudiants, les professeurs de l’Université du Burundi prennent la relève, des aspects ethniques et régionalistes couvrent ce brouhaha, et ça parait invraisemblable que vous prôniez l’enseignement universel dans un contexte pareil et dans un milieu si intellectuel, ou du moins, en devenir pour plusieurs, tel la seule Université public.» Le Ministre de l’enseignent supérieur, membre de la délégation annonçant que c’est un fait complexe et qui n’est pas un problème, se référait aux textes de lois laissés par son prédécesseur, le Professeur Julien Nimubona, « un texte datant d’octobre 2011 ».  Apres une longue tentative d’explication, il aura été difficile à ce ministre de convaincre l’assemblée que ce qui se passe à l’université du Burundi n’est pas un problème, ou d’expliquer à ces intellectuels de Washington comment la faculté de droit soit dirigée par un chimiste et celle de l’économie par un physicien. Le Recteur de l’Université du Burundi et la Directrice de l’ENS étaient aussi de la délégation.

« Balance, plateaux et un homme derrière » : S’il faut penser justice, le sens de ce concept voire sa

Une partie des participants

philosophie, revient à laisser ce pouvoir, un des quatre en démocratie, être exercé sans influence, s’est-il exprimé l’Honorable Busokoza, revenant à l’emprisonnement du Vice-Président du Frodebu, Bamvuginyumvira Frédéric. Rappelant ce qu’est la justice par ce symbole, le 1^er Vice-Président qui a la justice dans ses attributions rappelait, si l’homme derrière la balance tranche mal ou bien, « ça se saura.»  « Ce qui est marrant », un Burundais de dire, « Le problème est que les échanges se sont fait avec des gens qu’il ne fallait peut-être pas. Le pays a besoin de plus de décisions et d’actions logiques de la part de gens qui y répondront le moment venu.»

If Fulbright program was opened to Burundi.

I was told that I was the first Humphrey Fellow from my country-Burundi-, since last 30 years. Some sources even say that it is the first time candidates came from Burundi - we are currently two-, through history. And I really feel like I’d stand up and advocate for my country to benefit this intellectual, educational, entrepreneurship even humanitarian, and so on, program and grant.

As a journalist, I thought that, some time, the reason may be the historical link with the francophone. That’s false. I even suspected the last years of war and genocides and other leadership lack, in Burundi. I selected some possible reasons-from my humble few knowledge-, and became more curious on its non-eligibility.

Clinton, Fulbright and Harriet Mayor

In fact, I knew Burundi was represented -and still- in different international institutions. Moreover, Burundi is on the front line in some countries in conflicts. I recalled Burundi being a model to its neighbors (in history) in some aspects such as education – many Rwandese and Congolese attended university studies in Burundi or, in last decades, Burundi faculties went to teach in those neighboring countries, even farther-; Burundi has also humble but real philanthropic, athletics’ personalities. The world heard about different personalities nominated for different international prizes, even the Nobel’s. What else? Yes, these last decades caused Burundians to flee their country and serve this world, elsewhere.

I thought Jeanne or Christine -to name a few- met with women of courage, for example.

With Derek A. Crider (AECOM)

I then thought that, as this year (2013-2014) Fulbright/Humphrey Fellowship, I had to rise up my little voice, and ask if I/anybody could contribute in telling / sharing how to open my country to this gorgeous program. I thought that would help in creating harmony and ameliorate humanity values, especially in that African Great Lakes Region. I dreamt it’s high time that small green color in that region was turning yellow. I mean, becoming beneficial to the Fulbright Grants, as it is all around Burundi.

I thought it’s really possible as the USA Government realized Burundi would be the real Heart of Africa.

Audace Machado