ALNEF condemns in the strongest terms the current unfortunate political situation in Burundi that is being perpetrated and propagated by President Pierre Nkurunziza and his cronies.

ALNEF has been following closely and anxiously the dangerous unfolding events in Burundi where the dictatorial regime is grossly violating the human rights of citizens. Those opposed to the dictatorship are arrested, tortured, imprisoned and forced to hide underground while many have been disappeared. Already what is happening in Burundi now is tantamount to crime against humanity. Nkurunziza and his security forces are using tribalism to divide, oppress and terrorise the people of Burundi while East African Community, Africa and the World is watching and hardly taking the problem of Burundi with the seriousness it deserves.

As we warned before, the violence happening in Burundi that is organised and perpetrated by the current unpopular regime will, if not checked, escalate into genocide. Were this to happen once again the World will repeat the ugly history of acting when it is too late.

ALNEF has since its 3rd General Assembly held in Bamako Mali in 2011 repeatedly warned of the dictatorial path that the current Burundi regime took towards and since the national elections of 2010, where most opposition parties boycotted the flawed process.
ALNEF underlines that while the illegal participation of Pierre Nkurunziza in the elections of July 2015 in violation of the Arusha Accord sparked the current gridlock, the problem of Burundi was and continues to be the dictatorship of Nkurunziza and his cronies, which has resulted into stagnation of development in Burundi, limitation of civil rights, exiling of political leaders among other ills.

ALNEF therefore reiterates the statement of its Executive Committee that was made on 20th

September 2015 in Thiès Senegal and further demands:

      i.        The immediate and unconditional removal of dictator Pierre Nkurunziza and his cronies from the leadership of Burundi

    ii.        The removal must be followed by the trial of the leaders of the regime for all the crimes that they have committed since coming into power in general, and since the elections of July 2015 in specific

   iii.        The installation of an interim Government, under the leadership of the National Council for the Respect of the Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi (CNARED)

   iv.        Fresh elections be organised within 6 months of the CNARED led interim Government

    v.        The immediate suspension of Burundi from the African Union (AU) and the East African Community (EAC) and imposition of sanctions against the Nkurunziza regime

   vi.        The immediate removal of President Yoweri Museveni as the chief mediator in Burundi. Someone neutral and of higher integrity in similar matters should oversee the transition

  vii.        That the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) immediately send a peacekeeping mission to put to a stop the State-led murders and prevent the current situation from escalating into a civil war.

ALNEF also demands that the leaders and governments of East African Community (EAC) and African Union (AU) act openly and decisively to condemn the Nkurunziza fascist regime and to take concrete and immediate steps to remove it from power without delay.

ALNEF reaffirms its support for the courageous masses of Burundi, who have pressed on with the struggle, in spite of the murderous reactions from the dictatorship. Indeed, the resilience of the Burundian masses offer inspiration and reminds Africa and the world the importance of resistance in the face of dictatorship and authoritarianism.

ALNEF reiterates its support to the progressive formations and forces that have been, and have continued working for the restoration of constitutional democracy in line with the spirit of the Arusha Accord. In this regard, ALNEF continues to encourage steadfastness of CNARED under the leadership of Leonard Nyangoma and wishes them victory as they spearhead this legitimate struggle.

Long live the courageous people of Burundi!

Long Live Democracy of the masses!

Down With Dictatorship!

Victory to the progressive formations and revolutionary forces!

Amath CAMARA

Coordinator

Africa Left Networking Forum (ALNEF)

Thiès, Senegal

15/12/2015