Anger in the Burundian Army is quickly reaching its boiling point as analysts warn of an imminent revolt. It is the Burundian regime’s cash-for-soldier agreement with the Congolese regime in Kinshasa effectively turning the Burundian army into a mercenary force that’s fueling uproar. The opaque deal is simple; the kleptomaniac junta in Bujumbura is paid off to deploy soldiers and consequently foot soldiers are sent to certain death in a war that is not theirs to fight.
The secret, and illegal deployment, has caused significant harm to the army. Initially, soldiers were lured with the promises of special bonuses (about $300 per month) but no single unit is yet to receive the so-called bonus. “We found barely $50 dollars on our account after more than 6 months”, a young furious lieutenant told us. The anger is made worse by the blatant disrespect for fallen soldiers.
“Those who died in Congo are usually dumped on the battlefield or dumped in mass graves in Tenga- a forest bordering Burundi and Congo”, our source said. To add salt to injuries, families of the fallen are sent personal effects and warned about mourning their loved ones with a dire threat, “If tell anyone that they died in Congo, we will arrest you and call your children deserters!” Today, almost all senior army officials recognize that the illegal deployment is causing tremendous tensions in the army and that the situation is simply unsustainable.
“The risk for mutiny is real. Already, on the battlefield in Congo, mutiny has become a regular occurrence. Don’t be surprised to hear about it in Burundi”, the officer warned, “We have so far received unsigned letters in protest, massive desertion, and outright refusal to carry out basic orders. The situation is that serious!”
Unable to resist the Congolese juicy deal, Evariste Ndayishimiye continues to entrench his army deeper into the Congolese conflict. His plan is to rush a second mandate in a rigged process and claim a 100% score. Idiotically, Ndayishimiye is under the illusion that his “fake” popularity will protect him for mutiny or even a coup d’etat. For the past six years, Ndayishimiye literally collapsed the Burundian economy making the poorest country in the world even poorer.
“It would be impossible for Ndayishimiye to get even a mere 20%. That’s why he is also turning to North Korea styled elections”, a neutral analyst observed and added, “Burundi is a powder keg, the spark is either going to be civilians or military, but either way, Ndayishimiye will face a serious challenge soon”.
ellenkampire