Burundi was not invented in 2005

Source: http://www.pyepimanla.com/10-mai-juin-0229/monde/burundi.html

Alfred Burimaso writes:

Burundi lacks not only positive and active marketing but also and most importantly in my view, the country is victim of excessive negative reporting. Those depicting the country negatively do it with specific purpose in mind. For some, it is simply not in their favor to see Burundi registering so many positives aspect in the last few year while it did not since its independence. They are ashamed of the performance of the country for the period they were in power. They feel guilty and ashamed. So, to appease their collective guilt, they report so much negative things on Burundi, some of which are even completely invented.

Thierry Uwamahoro replies:  

Alfred, while I agree with the first 8 words of your comment, I would nuance a little bit on the rest. We all know that as we promote Burundi, we have to walk a tight line: Burundi is far from a paradise and there are abuses that need/have to be denounced. I am not sure who you mean when you say “Those depicting the country negatively do it with specific purpose in mind… They are ashamed of the performance of the country for the period they were in power.” I want to make clear that when Jean-Marie or I blog pointing out what needs to change in Burundi or unacceptable human rights violations, it is not because we are ashamed of what we did when were in power…eeeeh, we have never been in power. I hope you don’t insinuate that when Eric Manirakiza denounces the new media bill, or Pacifique denounces the beheading of Leandre, or when Rufyiri denounces massive corruption…they are doing it because they are ashamed of what they did when they were in power…news flash, they also never were in power!

And then there is the hyperbole: “For some, it is simply not in their favor to see Burundi registering so many positives aspect in the last few year while it did not since its independence”. Really? When was the Buja airport built? The port? The RNs? Most hospitals? RTNB? L’ UB? The market that just got burnt? SOSUMO? etc, etc. When was the last time a Burundian athlete won gold? A Burundian team reached the CAN finals? Do you know where the “sommet France-Afrique” took place in 1984? All I want to say is that Burundi was not invented in 2005. There are good things and bad things that happen before 2005. There are good things and bad things that are happening since 2005. Again, we have to walk a tight line promoting Burundi, and ensuring that Burundi claims its right place on the world stage (and rips the benefits)