Palipehutu wants more posts while Burundi economy ...in trouble @ Christmas

Burundian rebels turn down government posts

Bujumbura, Burundi - The Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People/National Liberation Front (PALIPEHUTU-FNL) has described as "crumbs" 33 posts proposed to it by the government under the terms of a ceasefire agreement, rebel sources said on Monday.

PALIPEHUTU-FNL was offered two ambassadorial positions in Western countries, two governorships, heads of para-governmental companies as well as principal advisers.

"Our combat deserves more consideration and it will be necessary to continue the discussions with the Burundian government on these insignificant offers," the spokesperson of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL within the Verification and Follow up Joint Mechanism (MCVS) of the ceasefire agreement, Anatole Bacanamwo, told PANA in a telephone interview.

However, the government had little room to maneuver, as the constitution states that to become a member of government, a political party should have had at least 5% of the votes during the most recent legislative elections.

Since the rebel movement did not take part to the 2005 general elections, it would be necessary to amend the constitution to find posts for it in government, government officials argued.

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Burundi economy...in trouble@ Christmas


Sombre mood in Burundi as Christmas arrives


Bujumbura, Burundi – There is a sombre mood in the Central African state of Burundi, as the Christmas arrives and the economic hardship bites. And for a country where 70 per cent of the population are Christians, the despondency is deep and wide.

The cold statistics are long. The price of a kilogramme of beef or mutton, chick en or fish has hit a new high, jumping form US$4 to US$20, according to butcheries in Bujumbura.

The prices of these products, which are popular with average households on great festive occasions, were twice less expensive at the same time last year, some butchers told PANA in the Burundian capital, adding that small and big cattle husbandry and fishing, have been on the declining.

Rampant inflation does not spare other basic commodities such as rice, without which there is no real popular feast in Burundi.

Clothing does not attract people and many children are not likely to put on new clothes on Christmas Day.

As for the Christmas Tree, it is getting out of use since the government has prevented the felling of trees in an effort to protect the environment.

A few street vendors of artificial fir trees "Made in China" are running up and down the streets of Bujumbura, but without attracting many people.

Morale is particularly low among civil servants who do not know as yet when their meagre salaries would be paid to them. Certainly they cannot be paid before Christmas and they will have another dull festive season.



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