Africa has moral duty to stop deadly violence in Burundi

Kenya should assert its position as a regional East African leader and intervene in the civil war that is tearing Burundi apart leading to the deaths of its citizens.

The African Union also bears the substantial role of resolving this crisis that is worsening with each passing day. Both the African Union and Kenya have vehemently urged the West to let them resolve their disputes themselves especially when they wanted to pull out of the Rome Statute.

This could be the chance to show the West that Africa can handle matters that arise from within our continent ourselves without perpetual help from our former masters.

The solidarity seen during the Paris attacks across the world, even from African countries, should be reflected at this moment. Let us prove that African blood is also not worth spilling.

Let not the million pleas of our fellow Burundians be drowned out due to our own indifference to fellow Africans or due to our tolerance to tyrannical leadership. Let us speak out against the deaths of innocent civilians and the rise of imperial presidency on our continent.

We owe our fellow Africans a moral duty to assist them in ending this war as we as Kenyans know full well about the pains of civil war tearing a country apart. Let use the experience we gained from our past to help our neighbour.

{Roselyne Mugo, UON Parklands}

The simmering bloodbath in Burundi has hit new levels with hundreds being reported to have lost their lives.

The death toll is increasing by the day, and not enough is being done to stem the situation.

This begs the questions: Where are the nations of the world? Is the UN watching lives being lost? Where is the East Africa Community? Can’t the nations come together and salvage Burundi from going the genocide way of Rwanda in 1994?

It is scary to report that people are butchered in a broad daylight while President Pierre Nkurunziza still holds on to the old, rigid mentality.

It is prudent to note that nothing stands in the way of Africa’s democratic transition. Currently, several African nations have travelled the road to democracy and many are appreciating it.

The wave of change has blown across East Africa and Burundi is not an exception. It is high time the will of the people is respected and guarded jealously. The era of oppression and trampling upon the wishes and aspirations of the people is long gone.

Kudos Burundians for publicly standing for your rights and denouncing political patronage, bigotry and narcissism. It is in the citizens’ best interests to voice their rights and privileges. Time is ripe for Burundi to wake up to the rays of democracy shining upon repugnant systems of governance.

The upsurge of killings has been reported globally. Incessant ethnic conflict and maiming is throwing Burundi into utter chaos. Lives have been lost through the hunger for power and greed for kingship by the current leadership.

{Benedict Toroitich, via email}