Spare a second to wish the people of Burundi a Happy Prosperous 2016.
It just looks like the world has forgotten them. Poor Burundi, if they had oil, gold and diamond, everyone would be there.
Poor Burundi, no one has a Facebook profile bearing the country’s flag.
The people are dying. Many are fleeing their dear country.
Only last December, the people of this country looked forward to another prosperous year.
A coup attempt in May on President Pierre Nkurunziza left the country divided. The situation has never returned to normal.
Politicians and diplomats have different views on conflict in the country, and also, make different suggestions on approaches that can resolve the standoff.
Certainly, what is eating up Burundi cannot be removed by a law, an agreement or handshakes. It is much more than that.
Hate and hypocrisy have lived with humanity for a long time. And when it finds fertile ground to flourish, it blossoms.
It is been years since the ghosts of tribalism were silenced in Burundi with some agreements. But resentment and desire for revenge was cultivated.
No one cared to address resentment and the desire to revenge. The people continued with their ways. They opened their land together, and ate together. They sang songs together and played soccer like brothers and sisters. Hate and resentment didn’t go away
And when the ripe time came, it is the order of the day.
And it has left thousands dead or fled.
This year has been a sad one. However, someone – you – can start crusading that next year is different for Burundi. Let us individually think about what we can do for Burundi.
The country might not have gold to pay superpowers that intervene where there is wealth to share.
Burundians need us. This conflict has taken them back so many years.
My heart bleeds for the children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly that are fleeing their country and starting afresh in new areas.
It could be a festive season around us – how can these people feel “Emmanuel” preached by your pastors and priests.
I am told – Burundians like the rest of Africans are “religious”. This is hypocrisy of the highest degree.
Imagine a leader, a confessed Christian, seeing dead bodies of his countrymen lining up the streets. He knows it is his cronies and him to end that and none seems to be moving an inch.
For the innocent souls out there suffering because of the greed and hypocrisy of a few people – need you to raise your hand – to do something.
The festive season is a time of “God with us”, your pastor would love to say. It is, however, a reminder that many bad things might have happened to the world but God has never forgotten it. Burundi, God has not forgotten you.
However, it is also a reminder that even if God comes down, like Jesus did more than two millennia ago, evil people cannot be wished away.
You just have to live with them. Continue doing what is right.
What is happening to Burundi can happen anywhere. That is why you need to be the difference you want to see in Burundi – even in your community.
mssegawa@ug.nationmedia.com
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