BURUNDI: Disabled soldiers in Burundi clash with police over their protests for better compensation

Burundi's civil war lasted from 1993 to 2006. An estimated 2,300 soldiers were injured and disabled during the conflict. Their protests over the terms of their compensation has led to violent confrontations with the police. Burundi's police have clashed again with former military personnel who were staging a protest outside the president's office in Burundi. The ex-soldiers were disabled during the Burundi civil war, held a protest outside the office of the president on Monday (August 13) demanding better terms to enable them meet their needs. Most of the soldiers were disabled while fighting in Burundi's civil war from began in 1993 and only ended last year. More than 300,000 people died in the conflict while it is estimated that about 2,300 soldiers were disabled. The return to civilian life is even harder for them than for other soldiers. In 2006, the government initiated a re-integration program for its disabled veterans in which each of them would get 1600 US dollars per person. The scheme also offered to provide accommodation and physiotherapy. But the soldiers are unhappy with the terms and complain that the housing they were promised is yet to materialise. Waving placards and shouting slogans, the protesters blocked a road leading from the airport to the city centre and then proceeded to the office of the president where they pitched camp. "Yesterday, the disabled demonstrated in front of the office of the president and they did not get someone to talk to. I am wondering if they are waiting for someone to listen to their pleas, i am also wondering if staying out here in the sun with their poor health is a solution. I have told them to agree amongst themselves and select a small group of people so that we can agree on a solution and see how they should go about getting what they are asking for," said army spokesperson, Adolphe Manirakiza. Donatien Sibiniyo, a disabled 28-year-old war veteran says all other efforts for dialogue with the government had failed: "There is no one to listen to our problems. We have spent years and years looking for someone and have not got anyone," he said. Cassien Bizabigomba, the protesters' leader gave the example of the special medical identity cards they had been promised but were still yet to receive. The card allows the holder to get treatment at 20 per cent of the total price. "We have brought our petitions and said what we would like to get for now, so that our lives can improve. For example, an hospital identity card, no disabled amongst us has one," said Bizabigomba. The disgruntled soldiers continued with their sit-in on Thursday (August 16) even as Burundi's president Pierre Nkurunziza launched various events to mark the end of the war. One of the events is a "Race for Peace" in which 60 athletes will spend five days running around the country carrying a peace torch. Speaking during the race's launch, Nkurunziza decried the manner in which the disabled soldiers were making their case: "What we are saying is that to ask for something does not necessarily mean a sit-in. There are other ways. Any complaints that need to be made should be made following laid down procedures. We are saying that we have heard their message. The important thing is to look and see if their claims are authentic," he said. But before any of that could be done, Burundian police had moved in to shut down the protest. The disabled veterans were beaten and chased away. If and when they regroup they will have to decide whether to take Nkurunziza at his word, or take up their placards and slogans again.

ITN Source | August 17, 2007

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