Sometimes, I feel like a broken record by saying, "Burundi, although it has had its problems..." etc, etc, etc. In fact, one all too often hears stories beginning similarly when Africa is concerned. As someone who's an International Studies major I tend to look at Africa (though I know very little, generally speaking, in terms of specifics) through a post-colonial lens. Given the fact that many countries came into Africa and carved out pieces for themselves by drawing artificial borders which gave no reflection of the demographics of groups they would be splitting up it is no wonder that problems have persisted to this day. But, I'll stop here with the rantings of an INTS major and turn to something that bodes well for Burundi's future.
Yesterday, Reuters reported that Burundi has recently shown signs of hope in terms of its ability to function as a legitimate democracy free from some of its earlier vices (such as torture, unjust imprisonment, some of which we've discussed). Specifically, it was cited in the article that the "ouster of the ruling party's unpopular chairman, the acquittal of suspects in a vague coup plot, and the release of jailed reporters" were all especially encouraging.
The effective vote of no confidence in Hussein Radjabu's (former leader of the CNDD-FDD) leadership is something I wrote about back at the beginning of February. Essentially, this was the first sign of the initiation of a debate with larger implications, most importantly, that of having an environment in which a referendum on a person's leadership is taken seriously and something which I consider fundamental to a democracy.
Further, I'm glad to have learned of an update in the form of the acquittal mentioned above of those who had been held and tortured of which I wrote about even longer ago. Finally, it's really great to hear of the freeing of journalists who had been held in prison. A democracy depends on the freedom of its citizens to have access to information; journalists fill this vital role.
Yesterday, Reuters reported that Burundi has recently shown signs of hope in terms of its ability to function as a legitimate democracy free from some of its earlier vices (such as torture, unjust imprisonment, some of which we've discussed). Specifically, it was cited in the article that the "ouster of the ruling party's unpopular chairman, the acquittal of suspects in a vague coup plot, and the release of jailed reporters" were all especially encouraging.
The effective vote of no confidence in Hussein Radjabu's (former leader of the CNDD-FDD) leadership is something I wrote about back at the beginning of February. Essentially, this was the first sign of the initiation of a debate with larger implications, most importantly, that of having an environment in which a referendum on a person's leadership is taken seriously and something which I consider fundamental to a democracy.
Further, I'm glad to have learned of an update in the form of the acquittal mentioned above of those who had been held and tortured of which I wrote about even longer ago. Finally, it's really great to hear of the freeing of journalists who had been held in prison. A democracy depends on the freedom of its citizens to have access to information; journalists fill this vital role.
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