5 minute read
Burundi tells UN to close local office by January 2021
Burundi has told the United Nations secretary general that the office of the organisation’s special envoy must shut by the end of the year. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently asked that the office remain in operation for one more year owing to a “fragile” situation in the country but the Burundi government does not accept the recommendation and requested that the office be closed by the end of this year. The envoy’s office was established in 2016 to track tension in Burundi, which had plunged the country into a political crisis a year earlier when then President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a disputed third term. In a notice seen by the press and confirmed by a senior Burundian diplomat, the foreign affairs ministry notified Guterres of “the formal closure and liquidation of the office of the special envoy to Burundi on December 31, 2020.” UN officials in New York said the body did not intend to comment immediately. The UN sought to extend the envoy’s mission by a year despite a positive change on the part of new President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who took office after Nkurunziza died in June 2020, describing the situation in Burundi as still “fragile”. The foreign affairs ministry replied by commenting that a UN “political presence” was
Advertisement
no longer “pertinent” given that the situation was now “calm and stable” and a recent election had led to an “historic political transition”. “Our decision is sovereign and irrevocable, we no longer need an office that fosters the idea of a crisis that exists only in the minds of certain foreign powers,” ministry source said. The source was likely referring to the European Union and some western countries. A UN diplomat said on condition of anonymity that Burundi’s decision was possibly aimed at “negotiating a more flexible political relation with the UN.” In its note, the Burundi foreign ministry said that “socio-economic development is the only leading domain that requires assistance” from the UN.
Little boys chase after a couple of chicken, proceed with them to the kitchen after ‘arresting’ them. The older boys return with stems of pine tree and immediately move to decorate them. There is so much life and activity in this seemingly large family homestead. New clothes, glittery decor, irresistible aroma of African cuisine, not forgetting the endless laughter of the adults who are sharing a drink in the backyard. On this particular day, everything seems to be in perfect condition. As a Christian family, this was a time of the year we had spent the better part of the year waiting for. Yeah you guessed right, Christmas day! Even when we turned into adults, it was family tradition for all of us to converge at our grandparents’ home for Christmas celebrations. Ours is such a large extended family with over 50 members. So this time of the year was utilized as a family reunion of sorts. However, this year’s Christmas is going to be a strange one for me. First, my grandmother is no more. She passed on a few months ago (not due to COVID-19 though). I don’t remember ever celebrating any single Christmas without her around. Secondly, our family reunion is not going to take place. We are trying to protect our lovely grandfather by minimizing physical contact with him. His advanced age makes him very vulnerable to Covid-19. This implies that most of us won’t spend Christmas with him. I can’t imagine spending Christmas while away from Grandpa! Also, it won’t be possible for me to go for an outing by
the lakeside as I have always done for the better part of my adult life. This is due to the restrictions on gathering in certain public places in order to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Sounds pretty difficult, right? Well, this is not going to be the first bizarre Christmas in my life. In fact, I had given up on the idea of ever celebrating Christmas in my life. Back in 2013, my mother had been ill and bedridden for close to a year with an unknown illness. On the 24th of December, doctors suggested that we take her home for Christmas just to let her celebrate it with family since she had been hospitalized for the better part of that year. I immediately called my grandmother and informed her of the good news. She was overjoyed. The following day was Christmas day. Back home, preparations had been made and everyone was eagerly waiting for my mother’s return. At around 1pm as my sister and one of my aunties had headed out to get some necessities, I was in the room with my mother when she breathed her last! At my grandparents’ home, what was supposed to be a happy Christmas celebration turned into a vigil! That was the most terrific time of my life. My mother was finally laid to rest the following day, and that was the last time I ever celebrated Christmas with my family until last year, 2019. This year’s Christmas was supposed to be another one for me to celebrate but well, I and you already know that this is not going to be possible due to the reasons I revealed to you earlier on. Anyways, regardless we move. Christmas being that special time of the year, give it the honour it deserves. Make some time for yourself, family as well as friends. Dedicate this year’s Christmas to love and gratitude. And, please keep safe. Covid-19 is still much present. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year 2021! Wishing you joyful celebrations.
