Burundi MPs press for Eala sessions in their country

Arusha. Outgoing Burundi MPs have renewed their call for sessions of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) to be held in their country.

They said Burundi was now enjoying relative peace and tranquillity after recent political violence in which over 400 people were killed and which also saw more than 250,000 fleeing the country.

Ms Emerence Bucumi, whose tenure as regional legislator ends on Sunday, said she was wondering why her country has been side-lined for Eala plenary sessions despite returning to normalcy.

"Eala should resume holding its meetings in Bujumbura as was the case in the past", she insisted on Thursday shortly before the Third Assembly of the regional Parliament was dissolved after the end of its five year tenure.

The MP suggested that the plenary session of the Fourth Assembly, whose inauguration is still uncertain following delay by Kenya to elect their candidates, should begin business by holding its sitting scheduled for August in Bujumbura.

Several other MPs from Burundi who took the floor to take stock of the performance of the House in the last five years joined the chorus, rubbishing reports that their country was not unsafe.

Jean Marie Muhirwa, who like Ms Bucumi, represented the ruling CNDD-FDD, stressed that being a bonafide East African Community (EAC) partner state, Burundi should be given the privilege of hosting Eala sessions and other regional meetings.

He added that reports of chaos and instability in his country were often exaggerated by forces which, he noted, do not wish Burundi well.

He cited the recently held EAC Health Summit and the coming EA Petroleum Conference slated for next week as indicators of confidence outside people have on their country's improved security situation.

The outgoing Eala Speaker Daniel F. Kidega, whose term as a lawmaker to the House also comes to an end tommorrow, did not respond to the request raised by the Burundi MPs as he was overseeing the winding up of business.

However, he repeatedly insisted during the seven hour session on Thursday that pending issues which could not be completed by the Third Assembly would be passed over to the next session of Eala.

According to its Rules and Procedures, Eala sessions are held on rotational basis in the five EAC partner states. At least two of the sittings out of the six held each year have to take place in Arusha, one of which is the budget session each May or June.

The last time Burundi hosted the sitting was in March 2015, shortly before the country was plunged into chaos after an announcement by President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek elections for the third term.

He went on to win the elections, which were boycotted by some opposition parties. The country was also rocked by violence following a failed coup attempt in May the same year, blamed on opposition leaders who went in exile.

But Eala's affirmative action to suspend holding its sessions in Burundi followed the assassination of its MP to the regional Assembly Ms Hafsa Mossi on July 13th last year, citing saftety concerns of its legislators and other staff.

Ever since Bujumbura was effectively sidelined in August 2016 from hosting Eala sittings, the House sessions have taken place in Zanzibar,Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali and lately in Arusha for the annual EAC budget debate for 2017/2018 fiscal year.

The matter took a new twist early this year when Ms Bucumi, Mr. Muhirwa and three other Eala MPs from Burundi Ms Isabelle Ndahayo, Emmanuel Nengo and Leonce Ndarubagiye boycotted a session held in Kigali, Rwanda last March on grounds their personal security was not assured due to the strained relations between Burundi and Rwanda.

Four opposition MPs from Burundi, however, attended the session, reflecting the sharp divisions and resultant mistrust between the government and the opposition camp.

They were Yves Nsabimana (Frodebu),Jeremie Ngendakumana, ex-CNDD-FDD leader and Dr. Martin Nduwimana and Frederic Ngenzebuhoro (Uprona party).