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FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
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RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000201 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/03/15 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: DAS SWAN VISIT TO BURUNDI: TACKLING OBSTACLES TO 
PROGRESS 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  In a meeting with Deputy Assistant 
Secretary(DAS) for African Affairs, James Swan, 
 
SIPDIS 
Burundian President Nkurunziza expressed appreciation for the 
continued support of the American people and emphasized 
Burundi,s commitment to political and economic stability. 
During a visit to Burundi March 11-13, DAS Swan acknowledged 
Burundi,s actions to reinforce the authority of 
democratically elected leaders, promote good governance, and 
move toward judicial independence and transparency.  In 
response, the GOB outlined certain developments that threaten 
Burundi,s recent progress, including the progress of the 
reintegration of the rebel PALIPEHUTU-FNL through the Joint 
Verification and Monitoring mechanism (JVMM); possible human 
rights violations in the eastern province of Muyinga; and 
deposed CNDD-FDD party president Hussein Radjabu's purported 
attempt to disrupt the legislative processes by forming a new 
parliamentary group.  While recognizing these events as 
possible impediments to progress, Burundi,s leaders 
emphasized their ability to learn from their mistakes and to 
work to overcome setbacks.  The GOB highlighted its concern 
for poverty and emphasized the need for Burundi to transition 
from conflict resolution to economic development.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) This cable is the first in a series of three 
discussing DAS Swan,s visit to Burundi.  A second cable will 
highlight DAS Swan,s discussions concerning the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL,s threats to suspend their participation in 
the JVMM process.  The last in the series will focus on DAS 
Swan,s discussion with the Ministry of Defense on the 
subject of Burundi,s contribution to the Somali peacekeeping 
effort. 
 
 
¶3. (C) During a visit to Burundi March 11 - 13, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for African Affairs James Swan delivered 
a message of congratulations from the United States to key 
government officials and influential members of civil 
society.  In response, the GOB expressed its appreciation for 
recognition and support as a signal of the excellent 
relations between the United States and Burundi. 
 
¶4. (C) President Pierre Nkurunziza conveyed his gratitude for 
U.S. interest in Burundi, as exemplified by the recent visits 
of DAS Swan and General William Ward.  President Nkurunziza 
opined that Burundi's progress in conflict resolution can be 
credited to friendly nations such as the U.S.; he hoped for a 
continued partnership in the future.  The President 
acknowledged recent political events which threaten to blunt 
Burundi's achievements and recognized Burundi's need to 
transition from democratic stabilization to social and 
economic growth to counter future setbacks. 
 
¶5. (C) The Second Vice President, Gabriel Ntisezerana, noted 
that recent events have not supported the progress made by 
the Burundian people.  However, he emphasized that what is 
important is the ability to learn from one,s mistakes and to 
overcome setbacks.  Burundi,s Minister of Planning, 
Development and National Reconstruction, Mr. Abdallah Tabu 
Manirakiza, stressed Burundi,s reliance on the United States 
to help stabilize the peace process, advance development, and 
establish a culture of good governance. 
 
¶6. (U) DAS Swan acknowledged the success of Burundi,s peace 
process, conflict resolution and reconciliation as a victory 
for the country and an example for Africa.  He commended 
Burundi,s actions to reinforce the authority of 
democratically elected leaders, promote good governance, and 
applauded strides toward judicial independence and support 
for transparency. 
 
------------------ 
Economic Concerns 
------------------ 
 
¶7. (C) While recognizing the progress made in the areas of 
conflict resolution and good governance, the GOB also 
highlighted its concern for the population,s continued 
poverty and suffering.  Manirakiza warned that Burundi could 
lose all the gains it has made if it is unable effectively to 
fight poverty.  The Second Vice President, Ntisezerana, made 
a strong request for U.S. support for the upcoming Donor,s 
Conference to be held in May.  He noted that Burundi could 
experience dangerous setbacks unless it receives continued 
support from the international community.  He recognized the 
 
importance of drafting and presenting strategic documents at 
the conference that will be acceptable to the donor 
community.  In closing, Ntisezerana emphasized the need for 
Burundi to transition from conflict resolution to economic 
development. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
Possible Human Rights Abuses and Political Infighting 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶8. (C) DAS Swan also sought clarity on recent events that 
threaten to blemish Burundi,s progress, including reported 
human rights violations in the eastern province of Muyinga 
and an attempt by deposed CNDD-FDD party president, Hussein 
Radjabu, to disrupt legislative processes by forming a new 
parliamentary group. 
 
¶9. (C) In response to DAS Swan,s concern for reported human 
rights abuses, the Minister of Good Governance, State General 
Inspectorate and Local Administration, Mr. Vnant 
Kamana, confessed that "many things went wrong last year"; 
although many people were questionably imprisoned, the 
presiding judges handled the situations properly.  In 
reference to reports of questionable arrests and killings in 
the northeast region of Muyinga, Kamana stated that 
Burundi,s Ministry of Justice is forming a panel charged 
with conducting an inquiry into possible human rights abuses, 
including the extra-judicial arrests and murders of 
individuals thought to be in opposition to the ruling party 
and government.  In closing, he predicted that 2007 would be 
a year of change and improvement in judicial procedures and 
transparency.  During his visit, DAS Swan also met with 
representatives of human rights groups and other civil 
society organizations.  They acknowledged progress in the 
government's human rights record, but stressed the need for 
continued follow-up to ensure that those responsible for 
abuses (e.g., in Muyinga) are brought to justice. 
 
¶10. (C) Many government officials commented on deposed 
CNDD-FDD ruling party president Hussein Radjabu,s possible 
attempt to organize a new parliamentary group within the 
National Assembly.  The new "bloc" could be used as a tool 
for opposition to future legislative procedures, notably any 
additional initiatives to curb Radjabu,s influence over 
CNDD-FDD party politics and executive decisions.  First Vice 
President, Dr. Martin Nduwimana, conceded that Radjabu,s 
strategy could be an impediment to stability; however, he 
views the ploy as primarily a CNDD-FDD party issue. 
Nduwimana, a member of the opposition UPRONA party, noted 
that, with time, "everyone will realize that the (CNDD-FDD) 
party is not the tool of one individual".  In summarizing his 
views on the possibility of Radjabu,s parliamentary group, 
Minister of Good Governance Kamana commented that Burundi,s 
stability is still fragile; he stressed the need for the 
continued support and advice &from friends such as the 
United States8. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Comment: While noting the need for continued 
improvement in areas of human rights and transparency, DAS 
Swan used this visit to congratulate the GOB for the overall 
success of the peace process since 2005 and for the important 
progress made in recent months in reversing what had been a 
worrisome downward trend through most of 2006. End Comment. 
MOLLER