Abahuza
Encyclopedia
The Abahuza party is a monarchist
political party
in Burundi
. Officially called the Party for the Restoration of Monarchy and Dialogue in Burundi, Abahuza literally means “The Reconciliators” in the Kirundi
language. The party was registered with Burundi’s Interior Ministry on September 20, 2004. Since then, the party has achieved wide national and international attention.
The party was led by HRH Prince Godefroid Kamatari
, one of the heirs to the Burundian throne until his death on the 20 August 2005. The main goal of the Abahuza party is the restoration of Burundi’s monarchy, which was abolished in 1966, which it asserts resulted in violent ethno-national conflict between the Tutsis and the Hutus. The ethno-national cleavage in Burundi mirrors that in neighboring Rwanda
to the north. During that time, many members of the Tutsi royal family were assassinated by Hutu nationalists, and civil wars have ravaged the small country ever since. According to Abahuza party leaders, a return to monarchy will put an end to the unrest. Prince Godefroid was able to communicate the central ideology of the Abahuza party in his statement that "the monarchy lasted 500 years in Burundi in a political environment of stability and cohabitation because the King was the symbol of national unity."
Prince Godefroid had stated that the Abahuza party sought a constitutional monarchy
, like those seen in Europe, as opposed to a totalitarian monarchy. The party chose Princess
Esther Kamatari
, Godefroid’s sister and a former fashion model in Paris, to run as their presidential candidate in the elections coming up in April. Their hope is to end the ethnic divisions in the country and restore peace and harmony. In addition, the party hopes to reestablish the monarchy through a referendum that would be voted on. According to Princess Kamatari, her first step as president would be to implement a social plan “because the country is in ruins.” This ideology targets the poor and non-intellectual populations in Burundi. The party’s decision to choose Princess Esther Kamatari as their presidential candidate has drawn a greater degree of attention, both nationally and internationally.
Monarchism
Monarchism is the advocacy of the establishment, preservation, or restoration of a monarchy as a form of government in a nation. A monarchist is an individual who supports this form of government out of principle, independent from the person, the Monarch.In this system, the Monarch may be the...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
. Officially called the Party for the Restoration of Monarchy and Dialogue in Burundi, Abahuza literally means “The Reconciliators” in the Kirundi
Kirundi
Kirundi, also known as Rundi, is a dialect of the Rwanda-Rundi language spoken by some 8.7 million people in Burundi and adjacent parts of Tanzania and Congo-Kinshasa, as well as in Uganda. It is the official language of Burundi...
language. The party was registered with Burundi’s Interior Ministry on September 20, 2004. Since then, the party has achieved wide national and international attention.
The party was led by HRH Prince Godefroid Kamatari
Prince Godefroid Kamatari
Prince Godefroid Kamatari, , was a grandson of mwami HM Mutaga IV Mbikije of Burundi, and a son of HRH Prince Ignace Kamatari and his second wife Princess Agrippine....
, one of the heirs to the Burundian throne until his death on the 20 August 2005. The main goal of the Abahuza party is the restoration of Burundi’s monarchy, which was abolished in 1966, which it asserts resulted in violent ethno-national conflict between the Tutsis and the Hutus. The ethno-national cleavage in Burundi mirrors that in neighboring Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
to the north. During that time, many members of the Tutsi royal family were assassinated by Hutu nationalists, and civil wars have ravaged the small country ever since. According to Abahuza party leaders, a return to monarchy will put an end to the unrest. Prince Godefroid was able to communicate the central ideology of the Abahuza party in his statement that "the monarchy lasted 500 years in Burundi in a political environment of stability and cohabitation because the King was the symbol of national unity."
Prince Godefroid had stated that the Abahuza party sought a constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
, like those seen in Europe, as opposed to a totalitarian monarchy. The party chose Princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
Esther Kamatari
Esther Kamatari
Princess Esther Kamatari is a writer, model, and exiled Burundian princess.Esther Kamatari grew up in Burundi as a member of the royal family. Following independence in 1962, the king was overthrown in a military coup d'etat, and the monarchy abolished in 1966. Kamatari fled the country in 1970...
, Godefroid’s sister and a former fashion model in Paris, to run as their presidential candidate in the elections coming up in April. Their hope is to end the ethnic divisions in the country and restore peace and harmony. In addition, the party hopes to reestablish the monarchy through a referendum that would be voted on. According to Princess Kamatari, her first step as president would be to implement a social plan “because the country is in ruins.” This ideology targets the poor and non-intellectual populations in Burundi. The party’s decision to choose Princess Esther Kamatari as their presidential candidate has drawn a greater degree of attention, both nationally and internationally.