BURUNDI: RALLY IN SUPPORT OF INSTALLED TUTSI PRESIDENT PIERRE BUYOYA

(27 Jul 1996) English/Nat
Thousands of people have marched and rallied in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, chanting slogans in support of the Tutsi army major who has replaced Burundi's Hutu President in a military coup.
But Hutu leaders are voicing concern that with a Tutsi in charge, Tutsi soldiers will be more willing to carry out battles of ethnic violence.
These are not the types of scenes the world is used to seeing on the streets of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.
Saturday's rally in support of installed Tutsi President Pierre Buyoya appeared to reflect a country united in celebration.
But with the Tutsi-dominated army in control, the country's Hutu population, which makes up 85 percent of Burundi's six million people, are concerned that the ethnic violence may return.
SOUNDBITE:
"There are people who are hiding, because they don't trust the people who have taken power. We know they are accustomed to terrorize, to lie to the international community, nothing positive can be expected because we know them. We know that traditionally they are very accustomed to terrorize and to appear positive when they are doing things negative."
SUPER CAPTION: Hutu opposition leader, Emmanual Mpfayokurera
Western and African leaders have condemned this week's coup, although they have said nothing about sending troops to restore President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya.
Central and east African leaders will meet in Tanzania next week to discuss the political shift, but the new military-backed government will not be invited, the Tanzanian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
But Burundi needs outside intervention to ensure neutrality, says a Hutu leader.
SOUNDBITE:
"Without democracy, nothing can be done in this country. Of course, if there's no intervention, U-N or African intervention to make to deal with neutrality, there will be no neutrality in this country."
SUPER CAPTION: Hutu opposition leader, Emmanual Mpfayokurera
There are reports that Hutus are fleeing the capital city of Bujumbura. As many as 4,000 Hutus have sought protection at a displaced person's camp.
Bujumbura's Mayor, Pie Ntiyankundiye, says that his city is united, that Hutus are just as prevalent and accepted as Tutsis.
SOUNDBITE:
"I would like to settle the opinion...there is a false opinion that in Bujumbura, there is no Hutus. That's false. You have seen Hutus coming from Kamangui, Kanama,all those neighbours, even from Katumba, they are there, and as you see, there are brothers and sisters together. There is no fighting here. There are plenty of Hutus, plenty of Tutsis, there is no fighting here."
SUPERCAPTION: Pie Ntiyankundiye, Mayor of Bujumbura
The coup has also drawn criticism from other political parties within Burundi.
SOUNDBITE:
"The Parena Party strongly condemns the coup made in July, 1996 by the band of four. The coup is life-threatening to the stability of the people and the civilian resistance movement."
SUPERCAPTION: Jean Baptist Bagaza, leader of Parena Party
Buyoya has said he took power to stop Burundi's violence.
Days before the Tutsi-led coup, some 320 Tutsis were slaughtered, allegedly by Hutu rebels, at a camp for people displaced by Burundi's three-year civil war.
Since late 1993, at least 150,000 people have died in spiraling violence as Hutus have steadily taken up arms against the Tutsi-dominated, 15-20,000-strong military.
Hutus make up 85 percent of Burundi's 6 million people, Tutsis 14 percent.
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[@phelixguiterfelix3216]

yoooo we were faaaaaar behind... thanks to you Peter nkuruyumuco aka kizigenza

[@arnaulddolfi20]

He wasn't Tutsi ! Buyoya was instead the first hutu president of Burundi !