May 4-10, 2015

Private but pro-government newspapers

New Times, 5^th May 2015

“‘Rwanda expresses serious concern over deteriorating situation in Burundi” - a Statement by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• The Government of Rwanda is concerned over the deteriorating situation in Burundi and urged the Government of Burundi to ensure the protection of its population and restore peace.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo also admits Rwanda has been particularly affected by the situation in Burundi. She said: “We take seriously the reports of links to FDLR, the hundreds refugees crossing into Rwanda daily…While we respect Burundi’s sovereignty in addressing internal matters, Rwanda considers the safety of innocent population as a regional and international responsibility.“

New Times, 9^th May 2015

“‘Kagame speaks out on Burundi political crisis” by Edwin Musoni

• President Paul Kagame obliquely recommmeded his Burundian counterpart not to run for his third term but rather to step down. He said: „If your own citizens are telling you we don’t want you to do this or to lead us, it is because they are saying you are not delivering much to us. So how do you say I am staying anyway whether you want me or not?”
• The elections are scheduled for June 26. Seventeen people have so far been killed in the protests. Rwanda is currently hosting more than 24,000 Burundian refugees.

New Times, 5^th May 2015

“‘Top Burundian judge, MP flee to Rwanda” by Edwin Musoni

• As protests against Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office entered a second week, top politicians and local leaders are fleeing the country. Among those include Sylvère Nimpagaritse, the vice-president of Burundian Constitutional Court, who arrived in Rwanda on May 4.

• Nimpagaritse arrived in Rwanda a few days after Member of Parliament Thomas Bukuru and two communal bourgmestres Gaudose Niyonsaba and Basile Ndereyimana of Gisagara and Mushiha communes, respectively, also fled to Rwanda.

New Times, 8^th May 2015

“‘Exiled Burundian judge fears for deepening crisis” by Edwin Musoni

• Among those who fled to Rwanda was Jean Nzobonankira, the head of Partie de Mouvement pour la Solidalite et la Democratie (MSD), an opposition political party in Burundi.