Burundi : the CNL party blocked by the Ministry of the Interior in its attempt to resolve its internal crisis

The president and legal representative of the CNL party sent a letter to the Burundian Minister of the Interior on February 26. Agathon Rwasa informed the minister that he is organizing an extraordinary congress to resolve the crisis within the CNL. Two days later, the ministry responded that all CNL activities had been suspended throughout the national territory. Last December, the President of the Republic indicated that “it is up to the president and legal representative of the CNL to work towards resolving the crisis within his party.”Agathon Rwasa indicates using the statutes of the CNL to resolve the crisis via an extraordinary congress.INFO SOS Médias Burundi

In his letter to the Minister of the Interior, Agathon Rwasa informs that he wants to organize an extraordinary congress on March 2 at the party’s national office in the Ngagara zone, north of the commercial city Bujumbura.

He specifies that the purpose of the congress is “the resolution of the crisis within the CNL party on the proposal of the grassroots party leaders”.

Agathon Rwasa explains that he was referring to a response given by President Ndayishimiye to a question from a journalist. It was last December in Cankuzo province (eastern Burundi) during a public broadcast.

“As the leaders of the CNL at the grassroots have highlighted through their requests, the consultation of the congress participants is the supreme body and remains the only appropriate way to find a lasting solution to the misunderstandings and divergences which persist between the president of the said party and certain members of the national body suspended from their respective functions”, explains Rwasa who indicates that even party executives under sanctions should take part in the Congress.

The ministry opposes it

Without delay, the Ministry of the Interior reacted against holding the congress. Its permanent secretary describes the initiative as “stubbornness” on the part of Rwasa and warns him.

“We deplore once again your stubbornness with regard to the recommendations that we have addressed to you through our letter. We remind you that our measure of suspension of all activities of the CNL party remains in strict application as long as you do not show any desire to take a step towards the restoration of serenity both within the legally recognized governing bodies and among your members,” says the letter.

The main political party of the opposition, CNL, has been going through a leadership crisis for some time. Informed observers do not hesitate to conclude that the crises of this party newly created by Rwasa after losing the FNL are remotely guided by the regime of Gitega.