Burundi coup a consequence of EAC leaders procrastination

Burundi is on the verge of becoming Africa’s latest basket case after the army overthrew an intransigent President showing scant respect for the country’s Constitution; a sacred document he swore to defend. After weeks of violence in Bujumbura and other towns in which over 19 people died; a week in which President Pierre Nkurunziza put his conscience on hold, the army took the initiative to jettison him while he was in Tanzania.

Characteristic of the tinpot dictators Africa has had before; Nkurunziza regarded himself infallible, larger than life. In his mind, Burundi need him, not the other way round. But as Nkurunziza mulishly stayed put, detached as the people he led were clobbered and mowed down by the police, the region’s leadership maintained studious silence, perhaps assailed by some guilt because they could in a way identify with him; he mirrored their covert ambitions.