Rwanda
Political crisis in Rwanda and Burundi more profound than assumed

afrol.com, 9 November - According to a recent report analysing the political situation of Rwanda and Burundi, the visible internal conflicts in the two countries reflect a more profound political crisis. In Rwanda "the very core of the regime is affected by the crisis, the more so since divisions also affect the army."

The report "Small States in an Unstable Region - Rwanda and Burundi 1999-2000" is the second overview by Filip Reyntjens on present developments in Rwanda and Burundi, published by the Nordic Africa Institute. The first one "Talking or Fighting?" (published 1999) covered the period 1998-1999. In the new publication questions such as governance and institutions, human rights, justice, civil wars, opposition and political dialogue in Rwanda and Burundi are investigated as well as how the regional situation, resulting from the ongoing war in Congo Kinshasa (DRC), has a serious destabilizing effect on the internal situation in the two countries.

- Rwanda is undergoing a profound crisis, which became particularly visible during the first months of 2000, Reyntjens concludes. "The resignation of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic-all within the space of three months-has been its visible face, but the conflict has deeper roots. The rift between the RPF and the Tutsi survivors of the 1994 genocide seems beyond repair and even within the old diaspora conflict runs high. The very core of the regime is affected by the crisis, the more so since divisions also affect the army." 

- Institutionally, Burundi has been less affected by change, although new alliances have once again modified the political landscape, Reyntjens assesses the general situation in Rwanda's southern neighbour country.

Although the Burundi peace talks have not been crowned with success, at least there has been an exchange of views by the parties. Opposite to this, Reyntjens notes that "the Rwandan regime refuses to talk to anyone, although several opposition platforms in exile demand negotiations; in particular, challenges from monarchist groups have been a source of concern for the regime."

Human rights
Reyntjens notes a moderate improvement in the human rights situation as "fewer people have been killed in both countries" However, in general "the human rights situation remains very poor" in both Rwanda and Burundi. "In particular the prolonged detention of 125,000 genocide suspects in Rwanda is a cause for concern," Reyntjens states.

Reyntjens also criticizes the widespread use of «gacaca» courts put forward as a solution to the overcrowding of state prisons in Rwanda. The establishment of this "highly decentralized system of local courts" has been heavily condemned by the Rwandan opposition as violating "the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary".

DRC war
- The regional situation impacts on both countries, Reyntjens notes. Both their armies are engaged in the Congo Kinshasa (DRC) war, "in which Rwanda plays a prominent role." According to his analysis, "wars are waged extraterritorially and alliances shift constantly, thus allowing government armies and rebel groups to seize the opportunities offered by joining competing coalitions. 

- Consequently, the perspectives are not encouraging, Reyntjens concludes his analysis. "The war zone in the region extends from Luanda to Asmara, the ethnogenesis of 'Bantus' versus 'Nilotics' has become stronger, new extra-territorial and territorial confrontations are in the offing, the political solutions are discredited in favour of the option of looting and violence." 

- The populations of the region are the main victims of these state and non-state criminalised powers: displaced, subject to extreme violence (which has become a form of government) and to death as an everyday occurrence, impoverished and looted, forcibly recruited, excluded from education and from health care. Reyntjens concludes with the timely question: "Will they take their revenge?"

The report can be ordered online from the Nordic Africa Institute's publications web page http://www.nai.uu.se/webbshop/ShopGB (Title: Small States in an Unstable Region - Rwanda and Burundi 1999-2000; Current African Issues No 23. Price: GBP 6.95, US$ 10.95). 

Source: Nordic Africa Institute 

 

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