BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AFP) – Burundian civil society groups said Tuesday they were “deeply concerned” by violence carried out by the ruling party’s youth wing, criticising the immunity they claim they have received.
“Civil society is very concerned about the acts of violence perpetrated by the Imbonerakure”, the youth league of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, said Vital Nshimirimana, coordinator of a coalition of some 200 associations, warning attacks are on the increase.
For more than a month, the main private radio stations have reported almost daily cases of murder, extortion, beatings of opponents, and the banning of meetings of opposition parties, which it blames on the youth league.
Last week the civil society coalition, the Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society (FORSC), accused the ruling party of “substituting the police and judicial authorities” by allowing the youth wing to take on the role of the army and police.
Pascal Nyabenda, the head of the ruling party, admitted last week there had been “blunders” by elements within Imbonerakure, and appealed to authorities to punish those responsible.
The United Nations special representative to Burundi, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, welcomed the statement, and also appealed on th authorities “to take action” against those guilty of the violence.
At least five Imbonerakure members have been arrested in northern Burundi for murder.