CNDD PARTY LEADER NYANGOMA SPEAKS CRITICALLY OF

UNCLAS BUJUMBURA 000550 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/C E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY SUBJECT: CNDD PARTY LEADER NYANGOMA SPEAKS CRITICALLY OF BURUNDI'S GOVERNMENT ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The National Council for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD) Party leader and former Burundi National Assembly member, Leonard Nyangoma met with Ambassador Moller on July 31 to share his impressions of Burundi's democratic progress and his opinions concerning President Pierre Nkurunziza's administration. In his view, Burundi is in danger of tumbling into an 'institutional crisis' due to corruption, poverty and the persistent political stalemate within the government and insists that the solution to the impending crisis is the formation of a 'national unity' government. Nyangoma asked the U.S. to exert pressure on Nkurunziza's government to restore his position in the National Assembly, and to encourage actions that will put Burundi back on the track to peace and stability. In response, the Ambassador asked that Nyangoma, as a Burundian committed to justice and democratic principles, use his experience as a past participant in the Arusha discussions, to lead the major political players to the negotiating table and work together in good faith towards solutions that will benefit the country and its people. As the leader of a major opposition party, Nyangoma expressed concerns over Burundi's national elections in 2010 and the government's ability, as well as the constitutional capacity, to conduct the process effectively and to form effective opposition groups. Nyangoma also advocates the installation of various independent, international commissions to investigate economic, political and human rights abuses committed by the current government since its inception. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) In a meeting on July 31 with Ambassador Moller, CNDD Party head, Leonard Nyangoma, expressed his concerns with the ability of President Pierre Nkurunziza's government to lead Burundi's continued march toward democratic stability. Nyangoma, who returned to Burundi on July 15 after 10 months of temporary refuge in France, cited corruption, the lack of movement within the Parliament, and poverty as the major components to a growing 'institutional crisis'. In offering a solution to the political quagmire, he emphasized the need for immediate dialogue between the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party and the major opposition parties. Nyangoma hoped that the result of these discussions would end in a new 'national unity' (coalition) government focused on development and democracy. Nyangoma opined that a national unity government was required and justified by the impending political crisis, the lack of a ruling party majority in the Parliament, and the lack of enough 'qualified people' in the current administration. He accentuated his point by claiming to be amazed by the incompetent people chosen by President Nkurunziza to manage state affairs. ¶3. (SBU) In recognizing his country's progress toward political stability, Nyangoma admitted that democracy in Burundi is an evolutionary ideal under construction on a daily basis. In particular, in contrast to the environment before his exodus to France, he noted that Burundian civil society and the media are now able to speak more freely about abuses by the government. But Nyangoma also suggests that the specter of war still plagues the population, strengthened by the lack of progress in the ceasefire process, and the abundance of weapons among the Burundi people. The situation is further aggravated by the inability of the government of Burundi (GOB) and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL to negotiate in good faith as dictated by the September 2006 ceasefire agreement. ¶4. (SBU) Nyangoma expressed concerns about Burundi's upcoming elections in 2010, claiming no confidence in the current administration's ability to effectively conduct the process. Without being specific, the CNDD party head suggested that various portions of Burundi's constitution should be changed to improve the electoral process. He further hoped for the creation of laws that would govern the political opposition process, stating that it was necessary to have a credible opposition for an effective democracy. In response, Ambassador agreed that a credible opposition is critical for any society but it is also important to have a 'loyal opposition' concerned with the future welfare of Burundi and its people rather than exclusively with their own personal gains. ¶5. (SBU) In Nyangoma's opinion, the continuing penchant for corruption within the government is the major roadblock to Burundi's political and democratic stability. By his estimation, the government has stolen approximately 150 million USD that should have been used to stem the poverty experienced by the people. He proposed that an international commission, specialized in the investigation of economic crimes, should be put in place to delve into suspected improprieties by the current government since its inception. He compared his proposal to the recent effort by a similar commission that investigated the controversial sale of the presidential jet. Nyangoma stated that the GOB needs the trust of the international donor community and implied that Burundi's financial and developmental partners had no confidence in believing that resources were going to the right places. The Ambassador retorted that Burundi's recent Partner Roundtable, in which nearly 665 million USD was pledged by nearly 60 nations, would not have been such a success had the international community not had confidence in the GOB to steer Burundi's economic and social agenda in the right direction. ¶6. (SBU) Nyangoma also suggested that another international commission be created to shed light on all suspected crimes against humanity and human rights committed by the current administration, such as the extrajudicial killings in Muyinga and the arrest and prosecution of the suspected coup plotters in 2006. Noted for his staunch allegiance to a strong judicial process, Nyangoma questioned why Nkurunziza's administration insists on separating justice from reconciliation. In the spirit of the Arusha peace accords, Nyangoma advocates the installation of a truth and reconciliation committee to investigate the abuses of the past. At his suggestion, the pillars of the committee's work would support the identification of crimes, the procedures for pardons, and the process for reconciliation. ¶7. (SBU) In closing, Nyangoma stated that the international community has a responsibility to ensure that the GOB is acting in the interest of peace and democracy. He asked that the U.S. exert pressure on Nkurunziza's administration in order to get the government back on the right track. Nyangoma additionally asked for U.S. assistance in pressuring the GOB for his reinstatement into the National Assembly, a position he held before his departure to Europe. The Ambassador expressed Washington's desire to help in any capacity but also insisted that the principal political players, who are very familiar with each other, act with goodwill in their own negotiations and work toward compromises that promote stability and a peaceful future for Burundi's people. In response, Nyangoma explained that there is not always straightforward and honest language, as in the case of the Arusha talks, in the discussions between his peers. The Ambassador suggested that Nyangoma would provide a great service to Burundi by approaching those inside and outside of government to help them learn to speak to each other in the manner he experienced in Arusha. She characterized Nyangoma as a 'patriot' to Burundi's people and patriots work for the good of the country and not for personal gain. ¶8. (U) Leonard Nyangoma has been a key figure in Burundi politics for over 20 years. A teacher by profession, Mr. Nyangoma became affiliated with the Union for National Progress (UPRONA) party in the 1980's. He is among the founders of the Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU) party and after FRODEBU's victory in the elections of 1993, Nyangoma was appointed the Minister of the Interior. In April of 1994, Nyangoma deserted the FRODEBU party and created the CNDD party. Although the party eventually split, Nyangoma remained the president of the original CNDD faction and participated in the Arusha talks in that capacity. During the 2005 elections, Nyangoma was elected to the Parliament representing Bururi with his CNDD party gaining 5 seats in the National Assembly. Fearing for his life after being accused of harboring weapons and of participating in the fabricated plot to overthrow the government in 2006, Nyangoma fled to Europe. A few months later, on the grounds of desertion, he was removed from the National Assembly. Nyangoma returned to Burundi on July 15. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: Nyangoma is well-respected among the people as a man dedicated to the democratic process as well as to peace and stability for Burundi. It is surprising that his discussions with the Ambassador did not focus on any future efforts on his part to work within the current political structure to mitigate the ongoing issues, but instead his visit centered on the ineffectiveness of the current administration and the need to form a new government. There can be little disagreement with his analysis of the current situation or perhaps with many of his suggestions for putting Burundi,s democratic mission back on track; however, Burundi would be better served by his leadership in bringing the government and the major opposition parties to the negotiating table. His political aspirations are clear and it is speculated by political observers that the CNDD party leader, through an alliance with FRODEBU and possibly the PALIPEHUTU-FNL, could be the next president of Burundi. To that end, it would be in Nyangoma's best interest to work towards being part of the solution to Burundi's current political woes rather than towards the detriment of Nkurunziza's administration. End Comment. MOLLER