Gen. Ndayishimiye Evariste, the President and Commander in chief of the armed forces of Burundi has summoned top leaders from dockets of administration, security, defense and justice for an urgent meeting.
The Presidency has described the meeting as of those responsible for the quadrilogy(the four important dockets of his government; (administration, security, defense and justice).
Details indicate that the meeting “for a periodic assessment of the socio-security situation in Burundi,” is taking place in Karusi Province located 45 kilometers outside the Political capital Gitega.
This meeting follows the Tuesday’s 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which critics note that the security and human situation remains worrying in the much isolated East African nation.
Ndayishimiye admitted that Burundians have suffered and endured so much misfortune, massacres and massive violations of human rights, following the effects of colonization and dictatorial regimes.
For him, the protection of human rights remains the battleground for Burundi.
“I am happy the anniversary comes at a time when Burundi is striving for the well-being of all without any discrimination,” said Gen. Ndayishimiye.
For him, the only valid path today is to better embrace the path of development and establishing trust between leaders and citizens.
“We are building a State based on impartial justice, effective and respectful of human rights and concerned with equity,” said President Ndayishimiye.
However, Gen. Ndayishimiye has come and tough criticism for the sentence to life in jail on December 8 of the former Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni.
The flamboyant Bunyoni was convicted on charges including attempting to overthrow the government, illicit enrichment and destabilizing the economy, a judicial source said.
Court sitting in session at the prison where Bunyoni was detained followed the prosecution’s requests.
It also ordered the authorities to confiscate four houses and buildings as well as a land parcel and 14 vehicles belonging to Bunyoni.
Five others in the dock including the two main co-defendants, a police colonel and a senior intelligence agent, received “sentences ranging from three years to 15 years,” .
The seventh defendant, a driver, was acquitted, the judicial source added.
51-year-old Bunyoni pleaded not guilty to all charges at the start of the trail. At the time, he said he should be acquitted because of a lack of evidence.
A close ally of former president Pierre Nkurunziza, Bunyoni was an influential figure in the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
