BURUNDI LAWMAKERS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000083 SIPDIS LONDON, PARIS, PLEASE PASS TO AF WATCHERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM BY SUBJECT: BURUNDI LAWMAKERS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY FOR ELECTORAL COMMISSION REF: 08 BUJUMBURA 618 Classified By: CDA JoAnne Wagner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) The Burundian Senate and National Assembly confirmed February 13 President Nkurunziza's nomination of five individuals to the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI),voting 41-5 and 108-4 in favor, respectively. The confirmed CENI members represent a compromise between President Nkurunziza and opposition parties following loud public outcry that previous nominees were deeply biased in favor of the ruling party (reftel). New CENI members are: -- President Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye, a Hutu with no party affiliation, who once served as Minister of Communication under ex-President Buyoya but has been involved with civil society since 2006 and has served as an electoral observer in Rwanda, Mauritius, Chad and several other African countries; -- Vice-President Marguerite Bukuru, a Tutsi with no party affiliation, who served in several Ministerial positions in the early 90s. Since 1994, she has been working for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; -- Prosper Ntahogwamiye, a Hutu, who is the Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Solidarity and a member of the Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU) political party; -- Julius Bucumi, a Hutu, who is a member of the Judges Council of the Supreme Court and of the ruling CNDD-FDD political party; and -- Adelaide Ndayirorere, a Tutsi, who is a senior staff member at the Central Bank and a member of the Union for National Progress (UPRONA) political party. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: President Nkurunziza's change of heart in nominating CENI members amenable to all political parties has raised some suspicion in this conspiracy-fond nation that a backroom deal has been cut. Fueling this speculation are rumors that CENI president Ndayicariye is reportedly in financial distress and thus subject to pressure. However, Ndayicariye has an impressive, credible resume and a reputation as an independent thinker, and CENI Vice-President, Bukuru, is a well-respected, independent and outspoken member of civil society. ¶3. (C) Particularly in light of the previous slate (reftel), Post is encouraged that the three biggest political parties, FRODEBU, UPRONA and CNDD-FDD, were able to negotiate a deal that included a CENI representative from each party and two independents. Post however, has some misgivings that the party-affiliated members may feel they owe allegiance to their parties rather than to a truly independent process and body. Nevertheless, the consultations and compromises among parties on such matters are a hopeful development that Post will continue to encourage among parties in the run-up determining Burundi's next President in 2010. END COMMENT. Wagner