New party launched

The group of political parties who supported the candidacy of Colonel Epitace Bayaganakandi for presidency of the transitional period, at the weekend launched the party, Murundi rema wisubize icubahiro (MRC), Net Press reported. In a press statement, the group reportedly denounced “all manoeuvres set in motion to ensure that the current president leads the first 18 months of the transition”. It expressed its belief that through the fate of candidate Bayaganakandi, the Burundi people had been “scorned and humiliated”. It also denounced the involvement of some political party presidents of the group of 10 Tutsi parties (G10) and dissidents of the same group who were bribed by politicians in power and made concerted efforts to ensure the failure of Bayaganakandi’s campaign.

They also criticised the commitments undertaken by President Buyoya such as allowing the arrival in the country of regional and international troops while chapter III of protocol III was still under discussion. “This group officially declares its wish to bring together all Burundians who reject scorning and humiliation so as to sensitise citizens on the values of justice, freedom, democracy and rule of law,” Net Press quoted the statement as saying.