CANKUZO, April 2nd (ABP) – Political parties operating in Cankuzo province are being urged to avoid violent communication, Zubeli Kirosho, the province’s community leader, told us in an interview. Gabin Bukuru, a CNL party activist in Cankuzo province, is pleased that the members of the various political parties enjoy good social relations. “We share happy and difficult moments, and we really feel like brothers and sisters in the community,” he revealed.
As far as the organisation of meetings is concerned, Gabin says that the members of the CNL meet in complete safety and tranquillity, despite the fact that some of those meetings are sometimes postponed. If the letter informing them that a meeting is to be held reaches the administration, the latter approves it, notes Bukuru, adding that in the event of a misunderstanding in the community, the administration or its leaders intervene without delay.
Regarding participation in community development work, Gabin says that they are also involved and have been made aware of that by their superiors. However, he called for the wearing of political party uniforms to be abolished during such work because, he explained, some of the CNLs feel uncomfortable when they find themselves in front of other members of the ruling party in party uniform, even though that work involves everyone.
As for the CNDD-FDD party, Léonard Ndayishimiye, a young Imbonerakure from the village and commune of Cankuzo, says that their leaders are making all their members aware of the need to live in harmony with members of other parties. Thus, in society, he noted that the children of CND-DFDD militants share games together with those whose parents come from other political parties such as CNL, UPRONA and APDR. He added that the members of those political parties live in harmony, share everything in everyday life, and frequent the same places, including pubs and bars. Ndayishimiye also mentioned the challenge posed by the absence of members of other political parties, mainly during work to strengthen peace and security, pointing out that only members of the CND-DFDD are alone during night rounds or other related activities.
Within UPRONA, Régine Bukoko, a member of the party, praises the good collaboration with members of different political parties. According to her, no one hurts the other. “If it’s a question of family ceremonies or not, we invite each other without discrimination, and everyone attends. As far as party meetings are concerned, the administration authorises them unconditionally and no one comes to spy on us, we meet without any problems,” reveals Mrs Bukoko.
However, Régine does not understand why certain members of the CND-DFDD party wear their uniforms during community development work. According to her, such work concerns all Burundians without distinction. “They have to wear those uniforms during meetings or other activities exclusive to their party, because we also wear them internally, otherwise wearing them during community work is the visibility of the party in power,” Régine stresses.
As for participation in night patrols to strengthen peace and security, Bukoko does not understand why those measures are being taken, or how the groups are organised, when peace and security are total. Moreover, she believes that they will be ready as members of that party, should the need arise.
Marianne Harimenshi says she is pleased that the doors are open for everyone to join political parties. That is at a time when her neighbour from the Batwa community on Cankuzo hill is not a member of any political party. As for Mrs Nadine Irakoze, she testifies to the love and spirit of gratitude that characterises political parties, when it comes to helping the most vulnerable by providing them with food or not. It also shows the understanding and pride that reigns between the members of those political parties and the rest of the population, adds Irakoze.
Christophe Nyamiye, head of the Cankuzo zone in the commune and province of Cankuzo, confirms that good cohabitation between the various political parties is a reality, insisting that the administration intervenes immediately in the event of any disagreement. In addition, they are all called upon to work together to strengthen peace and security because they are all concerned, which is why, according to him, it would be better not to think that they are not concerned, as they are always made aware of that at the various meetings that are held, he explained.
For Zubeli Kirosho, a community leader in Cankuzo province, the elections in Burundi since 2005 have generally gone well in Cankuzo province, despite the violent communications and even insults that have been levelled at the political parties through their songs. He points out that such songs have frightened ordinary members of other political parties, even if they have dared to take part in the elections.
To ensure that the 2025 elections are peaceful, Mr Kirosho is calling on the administration to hold more meetings with the various political parties to discuss good behaviour during the pre-election, election and post-election periods. As for the leaders of those political parties, he is calling on them to avoid insults and other offensive language in their meetings, but rather to sensitise their militants to good cohabitation and social cohesion in order to maintain a climate of understanding, mutual aid and peace in the community.
He took the opportunity to urge the political parties to maximise the opportunities for mutual support and joint participation in the work that brings their members together to strengthen social cohesion. However, Mr Zubeli advised the public to avoid wearing party uniforms when events are organised by the authorities.
Note that 5 political parties will be standing in the forthcoming elections in the 5 communes of the current Buhumuza province, according to information obtained from the CEPI Buhumuza.