Frederic Gateretse Ngoga: the last standing Burundian Tutsi

In 2015, a quiet Kamarampaka or “Hutu Revolution” took place in Burundi. Those who had spent decades attempting to “de-Himanize” Burundi succeeded. A failed coup d’etat offered a unique opportunity for Parmehutu adepts to purge Burundi and install a defacto 100% Hutu rule. One, Frederic Gateretse Ngoga, a senior AU official, escaped the purge, eleven years later, the inquisition remembered that the survivor Frederic Gateretse must be crucified.

What has Ngoga not done to appease the inquisition? Reliable sources indicate that he did his very best to push for peace amongst key protagonists in the Burundian conflict. He used both his personal and professional connections to avert sanctions against the CNDD-FDD Nkurunziza regime and pushed the sole remaining Tutsi dominated political party UPRONA to join a coalition. Professionally, the faux pas of deep immersion into local politics was a cost he bore proudly. Back then, detractors condemned him and called him anti-Tutsi for seeking peace. “He was bought with a mere Ambassador title”, a family source revealed, “But now, they can’t control him. No one can!”

Amb Ngoga’s proximity to regional Heads of States, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of Diplomatic Missions naturally made the CNDD-FDD regime nervous. How would he react to a betrayal? What would be Ngoga’s reaction when he realizes that Tutsis in Burundi are suffering -essentially turned into second class citizens- in his attempt to preserve peace?

Fast track 10 years and the answer is vibrant for all to see. All Ngoga had to say: “Tutsis are facing discrimination in Burundi”, for a chain reaction to exploded with a river of insults. His nationality and his patriotism were questioned, his career threatened by Burundian officials in an orchestrated choir led by the Burundian Ambassador in Ethiopia. Worst of all, his family and their properties were also singled out for retribution.

Do Tutsis face discrimination in Burundi? No official answer. As the saying goes; “Just shoot the messenger!”