Some participants at the meeting of peace exchange between of returnees from Mahama refugees ‘camp and their neighbors members of Twegerane Association in Kirundo Province. Photo by Elie N.
Bujumbura, March 2021
1. Context
The 2015 election crisis was characterized by violence related to the disagreements generated by the controversial 3rd mandate of former President Pierre Nkurunziza. this resulted in a political disagreement and a street protests to force the president to withdraw his candidacy to a third mandate. These protests were stopped by the Government and the police resulting in confrontation between the civil population and the security forces in particular the police, causing the death of more than 700 people and the exile of more than 300,000 people including the political leaders of the opposition and the leaders of the civil society organizations.
In responding the situation, GlobalGiving facilitated a fund collection for IPB’s project to reconcile the youth and the police since from 2018 till 2020 aiming at Reconciling Youth and Police in Bujumbura, Burundi”.
After the 2020 peaceful election, a new project aiming at the reconciliation of refugees returning from Exile. For this aim, a peaceful cohesion meeting between representatives of those returning from Mahama Camp and those who stayed in the country was organized by IPB in collaboration Twegerane Association of Kirundo on March 5, 2021. Forty participants were there including 30 returnees and ten members of Twegerane Association from three communes including Kirundo, Vumbi and Ntega Communes.
The four remaining communes will be met in April.
Government appreciations
Ceremonies of that day was opened by the counselor of the Kirundo governor in charge of socio-cultural affairs Mr John Baptiste KWIZERA who congratulated those who organized this meeting promoting trauma healing and social cohesion via reintegrating returnees from the exile, mainly those coming from Rwanda who are many it this province. He asked them to join local associations that are in each community for their effective reintegration and reconciliation. He urged those who remained within the country to take care of those returnees.
Pastor Elie presentation
A presentation on the link between trauma healing, social cohesion and the economic resilience was made by IPB’ representative to show the importance of that king of meeting between those coming from exile and those who stayed in the country. He expressed what are the prioritizes needs for those returnees after five years in the refugees camp.
Returnees’ comments
Returnees appreciated the welcome reserved to them and the follow up made by local organizations and their community of origin in particular. They expressed how tough it will be for them to reach where those who stayed are today in the domain of development. Many things need to be done for them
Local associations’ appreciation
Local’s organization’s leaders dealing with repatriates were present including those promoting the wellbeing of women repatriates to welcome women in that local association that have a sub office in Kirundo town. Handicapped returnees also got a warm welcome in Twegerane local association having branches in each commune of Kirundo province. Returnees appreciated this opportunity to know more about their neighborhood environments.
Conclusion
IPB and Twegerane organization are proud of this peace activity contributing to the effective social cohesion in Burundi in general and Kirundo province in particular
Elaborated by Elie Nahimana
