Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUJUMBURA83
2009-02-18 15:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bujumbura
Cable title:  

BURUNDI LAWMAKERS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY FOR

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM BY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJB #0083 0491501
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 181501Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1384
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0097
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0115
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0102
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).

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