By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, August 20 -- As in Burundi the crackdown on those opposing or even questioning the third term for Pierre Nkurunziza continues, the UN has yet to name a replacement for its last envoy Bathily, rejected by Pierre Nkurunziza.
On August 29, Inner City Press asked the UN about the new report by Radio Publique Africaine, which was the target of pro-Nkurunziza attacks early in the process, linking the government itself with the killing of its General.
Inner City Press asked not only for the UN's view, but how this media under threat, RPA, might be protected. The UN merely "referred back" to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's previously, now superseded, statement. From the UN's August 19 transcript:
Inner City Press In Burundi, one of the media that was closed by the Government, RPA, Radio Publique Africaine, has published its publication of who killed the general that the Secretary-General denounced the assassination of. Their investigation was pretty detailed, seems to say that it leads… the tracks lead back to the Government itself. So, I wanted to know—
Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci: I’ll just refer you back to his statement at that moment and his alarm at the trend of politically motivated violence that we’re seeing in Burundi.
Inner City Press: But is the UN's Department of Political Affairs DPA tracking, I guess, these… it’s this… this report, one, if true, would be a pretty big thing and also seems to put the media at risk. So I wanted to know, who in the UN system is sort of tracking these events?
Associate Spokesperson: We have a presence in Burundi, a UN presence, as you know, and, of course, DPA is looking at, you know, the relevant offices in DPA look at the political developments of, all over the world, Matthew.
Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci: I’ll just refer you back to his statement at that moment and his alarm at the trend of politically motivated violence that we’re seeing in Burundi.
Inner City Press: But is the UN's Department of Political Affairs DPA tracking, I guess, these… it’s this… this report, one, if true, would be a pretty big thing and also seems to put the media at risk. So I wanted to know, who in the UN system is sort of tracking these events?
Associate Spokesperson: We have a presence in Burundi, a UN presence, as you know, and, of course, DPA is looking at, you know, the relevant offices in DPA look at the political developments of, all over the world, Matthew.
In this same briefing UN spokesperson Maestracci told Inner City Press, "This is not your briefing;" earlier she said Inner City Press should just send in emails rather than say things in the briefing room and that Inner City Press is "so not interested in the answers." That Vine here.
On August 13 Inner City Press again asked UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman about the promised envoy, and about torture and threats on other human rights defenders and even former UN peacekeepers. From the UN's August 13 transcript:
Inner City Press: there’s reports from Burundi that Richard Hagabimana, a military official, I guess, viewed as being anti-Nkurunziza, is not only in detention but is being tortured. Given that he was a UN peacekeeper, I’m wondering whether the UN there in… in… in Bujumbura or otherwise is aware of that and also of threats against a second human rights defender, Mr. [inaudible] [ICP: it was Anschaire Nikoyagize], who has gone to…
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric: I haven’t seen those particular reports. We can look into them. Obviously, we’ve spoken out pretty strongly on these issues in the past.
Inner City Press: Where does it stand on an envoy which was called imminent two days ago?
Spokesman: When there is an update, I will share it with you.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric: I haven’t seen those particular reports. We can look into them. Obviously, we’ve spoken out pretty strongly on these issues in the past.
Inner City Press: Where does it stand on an envoy which was called imminent two days ago?
Spokesman: When there is an update, I will share it with you.
Nothing. The president of the Security Council for August, Nigeria's Joy Ogwu, answered Inner City Press late on August 10 after a closed door briefing by Ivan Simonovic (see below, including possibility of ICC investigation or prosecution) that the naming of an envoy is "imminent," to maintain "momentum."
On August 11, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Stephane Dujarric about it, video here, transcript here:
Inner City Press: The President of the Council yesterday called the naming of this envoy to Burundi imminent in order to keep the momentum going, which would seem to… probably come from Tayé Brook Zerihoun. Does the Secretary-General feel the same imminence and…?
Spokesman Dujarric: Yes, I think… We can debate on the meaning of words. I would say imminent would probably not be a bad choice of words.
Spokesman Dujarric: Yes, I think… We can debate on the meaning of words. I would say imminent would probably not be a bad choice of words.
Well placed sources exclusively told Inner City Press that the threat is, if any sanctions are imposed, to pull Burundi's peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Central African Republic, and from the AU mission in Somalia.
This type of linkage has worked before with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, for example in the case of Bangladesh, with Inner City Press also closely covered.
Inner City Press obtained a copy of OHCHR's Simonovic's briefing and puts it online here.
Earlier on August 10, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric about the crackdown including police abductions in the Jabe neighborhood of Bujumbura, when Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will name and send a new envoy and what Ban would like to see out of the Security Council meeting scheduled for the afternoon of August 10.Video here.
Dujarric had no update on an envoy; Pressed, he said that the UN has a central office in Bujumbura which victims could contact.
There are names of the abducted, and photographs. We'll have more on this.
On August 7, Inner City Press asked US Ambassador Samantha Power, at the end of a question and answer stakeout, if the UN should name a new envoy to Burundi. Video here. Power paused and replied, "I'm sure they will, I expect them to."
Minutes later at the UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, "Are there any moves afoot to do this?"
Spokesman Dujarric: "I think we alluded to foots and moves. An announcement will be made in due course when we are ready to make that announcement. Obviously, you know, we have gone through, to speak plainly, I think we have gone through a number of facilitators and envoys in Burundi. I think we just need to make sure that whenever an envoy is named he or she has the support, at least the promise of support from all parties. It’s a critical, critical situation. I mean, we are seeing the situation in Burundi on a tinder box. So when we have something to announce, we shall."
Spokesman Dujarric: "I think we alluded to foots and moves. An announcement will be made in due course when we are ready to make that announcement. Obviously, you know, we have gone through, to speak plainly, I think we have gone through a number of facilitators and envoys in Burundi. I think we just need to make sure that whenever an envoy is named he or she has the support, at least the promise of support from all parties. It’s a critical, critical situation. I mean, we are seeing the situation in Burundi on a tinder box. So when we have something to announce, we shall."
Back on August 6 at the UN noon briefing, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Stephane Dujarric disclosed that the previous day, Ban had spoken with Nkurunziza. Inner City Press immediately asked if Ban had raised to Nkurunziza the prospect of a new UN envoy or person to lead up the UN's work; Dujarric would not answer this.Video here. Audio here.
For the UN Burundi is handled by the African I Division of the UN Department of Political Affairs; Inner City Press asked Dujarric about its scoop, that the outgoing president of the UN General Assembly Sam Kutesa, still the foreign minister of Uganda, has asked Ban's chef de cabinet Susana Malcorra to put his chief of staff, Arthur Kafeero, atop UN Africa 1. Dujarric would not even describe the status of recruitment. Audio here.
Video here. We'll have more on this.
Video here. We'll have more on this.
On August 5, Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephen Dujarric:
Inner City Press: In Burundi, the Government there has put out a statement saying that they are now armed groups disguised as the military as official Government soldiers. Apparently, I guess, they are basically trying to say that when you see a Government soldier kill somebody it might not be a Government soldier, it might be an armed group disguised. So I wanted to… things seem to further deteriorating and I wanted to know, what… yesterday it was said there might be some UN individual named to deal with it, what are the steps being taken given what is happening?
Spokesman Dujarric: Obviously, I think the Secretary-General and his colleagues, political and others are keeping a very close eye on the situation. We are getting reports from our… from the human rights offices there. I think we are obviously very concerned about the possibility of a quick spiralling, negative spiraling of the situation in Burundi. It’s incumbent on the Government to ensure that whatever security operations are taken are taken with full respect to human rights law, to international humanitarian, international humanitarian law. We’ve already expressed our concern of the treatment of the media. I think what we are seeing just underscores the need for the political dialogue to resume and to put Burundi back on the right track.
Inner City Press: Can you say anything more of the idea of a person to lead [the UN's work on Burundi]?
Spokesman Dujarric: No. I think Farhan spoke about it yesterday. I have nothing else to add.
Spokesman Dujarric: Obviously, I think the Secretary-General and his colleagues, political and others are keeping a very close eye on the situation. We are getting reports from our… from the human rights offices there. I think we are obviously very concerned about the possibility of a quick spiralling, negative spiraling of the situation in Burundi. It’s incumbent on the Government to ensure that whatever security operations are taken are taken with full respect to human rights law, to international humanitarian, international humanitarian law. We’ve already expressed our concern of the treatment of the media. I think what we are seeing just underscores the need for the political dialogue to resume and to put Burundi back on the right track.
Inner City Press: Can you say anything more of the idea of a person to lead [the UN's work on Burundi]?
Spokesman Dujarric: No. I think Farhan spoke about it yesterday. I have nothing else to add.
Later on August 5, the UN Peacebuilding Configuration on Burundi issued this statement -- but a replacement of the UN's Bathily, rejected by Nkurunziza, remains UNnamed:
"The PBC Burundi Configuration strongly condemns the assassination on 2 August 2015 of General Adolphe Nshimirimana, former head of the National Intelligence Service, and in Charge of Special Missions at State House.
The PBC Burundi Configuration is concerned about the deterioration of the security environment marked by reported violence and violations of human rights.
The PBC Burundi Configuration notes with great concern the attack on 3 August against Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, president of «Association pour la protection des droits humains et des personnes détenues» and respected human rights defender.
The PBC Burundi Configuration calls on all Burundians to exercise restraint in order to prevent a further escalation of violence.
The PBC Burundi Configuration calls on the Government and political actors to urgently resume dialogue, and on all Burundians to establish the necessary conditions for rebuilding trust and fostering national unity.
The PBC Burundi Configuration reiterates its support to regional and international initiatives aimed at supporting Burundi to re-engage in dialogue."
The PBC Burundi Configuration is concerned about the deterioration of the security environment marked by reported violence and violations of human rights.
The PBC Burundi Configuration notes with great concern the attack on 3 August against Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, president of «Association pour la protection des droits humains et des personnes détenues» and respected human rights defender.
The PBC Burundi Configuration calls on all Burundians to exercise restraint in order to prevent a further escalation of violence.
The PBC Burundi Configuration calls on the Government and political actors to urgently resume dialogue, and on all Burundians to establish the necessary conditions for rebuilding trust and fostering national unity.
The PBC Burundi Configuration reiterates its support to regional and international initiatives aimed at supporting Burundi to re-engage in dialogue."
So when WILL the UN at least name a replacement for Bathily?
On August 4, Inner City Press asked incoming President of the UN Security Council for August, Ambassador Joy Ogwu of Nigeria, what to expect on Burundi during the month. She said the space has been left in the Security Council's program of work for such emergencies.
At the August 4 noon briefing, Inner City Press asked UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq about the mediation in Burundi; he replied that the UN hopes in the near future to announce someone to lead the UN's work on Burundi. Video here. When?
Inner City Press asked Deputy Permanent Representative Alexis Lamik of France, the Council's "penholder" on Burundi, whether any meeting has been scheduled. Not at this stage, he said.
Later on August 4, the Security Council issued this statement:
"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the killing of General Adolphe Nshimirimana on 2 August and the violent attack on Pierre Claver Mbonimpa on 3 August. They noted that there is no place for violence and called on all actors to remain calm.
"The members of the Security Council expressed concern that the security situation in Burundi is deteriorating rapidly, following an electoral period marked by violence and reports of violations and abuses of human rights.
"The members of the Security Council appealed to the government of Burundi, as well as all political actors, to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay. To this end, they reaffirmed their support for regional engagement, in particular by the East African Community and the African Union, in calling for restraint and in pursuit of a political resolution to the crisis. The members of the Security Council remained committed to supporting long term peace and stability in Burundi."
"The members of the Security Council expressed concern that the security situation in Burundi is deteriorating rapidly, following an electoral period marked by violence and reports of violations and abuses of human rights.
"The members of the Security Council appealed to the government of Burundi, as well as all political actors, to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay. To this end, they reaffirmed their support for regional engagement, in particular by the East African Community and the African Union, in calling for restraint and in pursuit of a political resolution to the crisis. The members of the Security Council remained committed to supporting long term peace and stability in Burundi."
Back on August 3, Inner City Press asked UN Secreaty General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Stephane Dujarric about Nkurunziza's security forces beating and torturing journalist Esdras Ndikumana. Video here.
Ban's spokesman said the UN was aware. But why wasn't it included in Ban's statement that day praising Nkurunziza?
On August 4, Inner City Press asked Ban's deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq about the future of the MENUB mission, if the UN had visited Mbonimpa or tried to ensure protection for his family, and about the status of any mediation.
While it appears that no UN visit to Mbonimpa has been made, Haq in his answer to Inner City Press say that the UN will "hopefully sometime in the near future announce someone who can lead the UN efforts on Burundi."
The questions came rolling in, to Inner City Press and presumably to the UN: who? When? Could the third time, after Said Djinnit then Bathily, be the charm? We'll have more on this.
On August 3, the UN put out this "read-out" of Ban's work on Burundi:
"The Secretary-General held a conference call today with H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, and H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to discuss the situation in Burundi.
The Secretary-General reiterated his strong condemnation of the killing, this weekend, of General Adolphe Nshimirimana and expressed his concern over its implications for security in Burundi. He expressed his full support for President Museveni’s efforts to facilitate an inclusive political dialogue in Burundi on behalf of the East African Community.
The Secretary-General called for the swift resumption of the dialogue to defuse mounting tensions and pave the way for the formation of a government of national unity. It was agreed that the United Nations, the East African Community and the African Union should continue working closely together in a coordinated and unified approach to find a sustainable solution to the crisis in Burundi."
The Secretary-General reiterated his strong condemnation of the killing, this weekend, of General Adolphe Nshimirimana and expressed his concern over its implications for security in Burundi. He expressed his full support for President Museveni’s efforts to facilitate an inclusive political dialogue in Burundi on behalf of the East African Community.
The Secretary-General called for the swift resumption of the dialogue to defuse mounting tensions and pave the way for the formation of a government of national unity. It was agreed that the United Nations, the East African Community and the African Union should continue working closely together in a coordinated and unified approach to find a sustainable solution to the crisis in Burundi."
We'll stay on this.
Here was Ban's belated statement:
"The Secretary-General notes with great concern the continuing deterioration of the security environment in Burundi following an electoral period marked by violence and the violation of human rights, including the right to life.
"In this context, the Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of General Adolphe Nshimirimana on 2 August. He welcomes President Nkurunziza's message to the nation to remain calm and to the competent authorities to expeditiously investigate this assassination in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. He calls on the Burundian authorities to investigate diligently other recent political assassinations.
"The Secretary-General renews his appeal to all Burundians to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay and peacefully settle their differences under the facilitation of President Museveni as mandated by the East African Community. The Secretary-General remains committed to supporting peace consolidation and conflict prevention efforts in Burundi."
"In this context, the Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of General Adolphe Nshimirimana on 2 August. He welcomes President Nkurunziza's message to the nation to remain calm and to the competent authorities to expeditiously investigate this assassination in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. He calls on the Burundian authorities to investigate diligently other recent political assassinations.
"The Secretary-General renews his appeal to all Burundians to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay and peacefully settle their differences under the facilitation of President Museveni as mandated by the East African Community. The Secretary-General remains committed to supporting peace consolidation and conflict prevention efforts in Burundi."
After Dujarric read out the belated statement, Inner City Press asked about government security beating journalist Esdras Ndikumana. Dujarric indicated that the UN system is aware. But why then was it not in Ban's statement praising Nkurunziza? It's like Ban calling the elections "broadly peaceful."
With Ban slated to be in the UN press briefing room less than an hour later, Inner City Press for the Free UN Coalition for Access asked why Ban would not taken even a single question. Video here; Periscope here. That question remains, and will be pursued.
The US State Department statement, calling for restraint, said:
"The United States condemns the murder of General Adolphe Nshimirimana in Bujumbura today and urges calm and restraint in the aftermath of the attack. We call on all sides to renounce violence and to redouble their efforts to engage in a transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive political dialogue.
"The path forward must address foundational issues, including respect for human rights, freedom of the press and other fundamental freedoms, and respect for the Arusha Agreement and its power-sharing provisions. Restoration of dialogue is urgent, and all parties must work together in pursuit of a consensus, peaceful path forward for the people of Burundi."
"The path forward must address foundational issues, including respect for human rights, freedom of the press and other fundamental freedoms, and respect for the Arusha Agreement and its power-sharing provisions. Restoration of dialogue is urgent, and all parties must work together in pursuit of a consensus, peaceful path forward for the people of Burundi."
But where was Ban Ki-moon? He was not at the UN on August 2 with many countries' Permanent Representatives, working on and agreeing to a post-2015 development agenda text. But he quickly issued a statement on that, and seemed sure to brag about it with US President Barack Obama on August 4. But still silent on Burundi.
After the government refused to attend the East African Community mediation sessions, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on July 23 blithely "took note" of what he called the "broadly peaceful conduct of polling."
On July 28 the UN Security Council belatedly held closed door consultations about Burundi, the Council's first meeting on the country since July 9. Before the meeting ended, the Ambassador of France, the penholder of the Council on Burundi, had left. While the session was closed, afterward Inner City Press asked participants both on and off the record what was said.
Inner City Press on background was told that the idea of a shortened third term for Nkurunziza had been raised in the meeting. On the record, at the UN Television stakeout, Inner City Press asked the Council's president for July Gerard von Bohemen of New Zealand if this had arisen.
From the New Zealand mission's transcription:
Inner City Press: Burundi, I wanted to ask you whether there was any discussion of a government of national unity and in connection with that a possible short third term?
A: There was a strong support for the idea of a government of national unity. It’s recognised that there isn’t consensus as to what that might mean. There was reference by the Assistant-Secretary-General that for some that means a shorter third term but it’s not clear that that’s an accepted parameter for anybody at this stage.
On July 27, Inner City Press attended - after an initial request to keep it out - the UN Peacebuilding Configuration meeting on Burundi, then went and asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric:
Inner City Press: On Burundi, I wanted to ask, there was a peacebuilding configuration meeting in Conference Room 5 and the representative of, I guess, the UN’s Human Rights Office said there is now, since 22 July, six AU [African Union] human rights monitors in the country, but the UN has no contact with them, because the Government hasn't somehow permitted it. I wanted to know, one, is it the UN system they can't… I heard you from in podium say repeatedly how the UN works with the AU, likes the AU, the AU is going to solve it, why would it be the UN can't contact the human rights monitors of the AU? And does Ban Ki-moon acknowledge that there is some… his statement about broadly peaceful is inconsistent as perceived with the MENUB report just out this hour?
Spokesman Dujarric: No, I don't think it's inconsistent. In fact, I think the MENUB report does talk about, you know, that the election day was relatively peaceful and conducted adequately. However, as MENUB says, the overall environment was not conducive for a free and fair, credible election process. So there, I don't agree with your compare and contrast exercise. On the AU monitors, this is the first I've heard of it. I can check.
Spokesman Dujarric: No, I don't think it's inconsistent. In fact, I think the MENUB report does talk about, you know, that the election day was relatively peaceful and conducted adequately. However, as MENUB says, the overall environment was not conducive for a free and fair, credible election process. So there, I don't agree with your compare and contrast exercise. On the AU monitors, this is the first I've heard of it. I can check.
While seven hours later no information was provided, Inner City Press at 4:30 pm on July 27 asked the President of the UN Security Council for July, Gerard von Bohemen of New Zealand, if finally there would be a Security Council meeting on Burundi (the first since July 9), now that the MENUB report was out. Yes, he said, there'd be consultations on July 28 at 3 pm.
The briefers will be Department of Political Affairs official Taye-Brook Zerihoun and MENUB Officer in Charge Issaka Souna, by video from Bujumbura. We'll be there.
Inner City Press on July 23 asked one of Ban's Associate Spokespeople Vannina Maestracci on what basis Ban "noted" as he did a "peaceful conduct of polling," while she continued to say wait for the UN's MENUB mission's report. Video here. She said she would not "dissect every word" of Ban's statement. How about one word: peaceful?
On July 24, after Nkurunziza was declared the winner and the East African Community said it was neither free nor fair, Inner City Press asked another UN spokesperson at the day's noon briefing what Ban had meant by "broadly peaceful," in light of the EAC finding and for example an Amnesty International report on abuses.
This spokesperson said that given Ban's previously warnings of violence, he had been "relatively speaking" by saying things were peaceful.
