GITEGA September 7th (ABP) – Representatives of the population of the northern communes of Gitega province (Center of the country) expressed divided opinions on the question of maintaining or not the status quo of ethnic quotas in government, in parliament and justice, as provided for in article 289 of the constitution of Burundi.
It was on the occasion of a session to collect opinions and considerations on the above-mentioned question that the first vice-president of the Senate, Mrs. Denise Ndadaye, chaired, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in the chambers from the Gitega Paramedical School. Indeed, two blocs were observed, one defending the maintenance of the status quo. As arguments, the speakers indicated that these quotas are untouchable because their causes still persist. The wounds caused by the socio-political crises that caused them have not yet been healed, they said. For more details, they mentioned the persistence of camps for displaced people, the refugees who have not yet returned and the fear based on ethnicity which has not yet dissipated. They proposed instead to strengthen awareness on peaceful cohabitation between all national components. As for the Burundian political class, they deplored their behavior as activists of ethnic divisions, especially when they were removed from their positions. They should evolve towards political maturity, they advised.
Regarding the opponents of the ethnic quota, they indicated that this question is outdated; arguing that it only concerns two ethnic groups, citing in particular the Hutu ethnic group and the Tutsi ethnic group. However, they added, there are also descendants of inter-ethnic marriages and Batwa who were excluded, they insisted to demand the removal of these quotas.
Faced with the interventions of both camps, the second vice-president of the Senate informed the audience that they will be put together with others collected in other corners of the country. It will be up to the Burundian Head of State to make a decision based on popular expression, she concluded.