Alexis Sinduhije
Encyclopedia
Alexis Sinduhije is a Burundi
an journalist. He founded the Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) as a means of bringing about peace between his fellow Tutsi
and the Hutu
in his often war-torn country. He thought of the idea while working at the state radio station and its stated purpose is "to humanize relations between the ethnic groups."
Start-up funds for the radio project were awarded by the Ford Foundation
, with a special interest in fostering communication between Burundians inside the country and those in refugee camps in Tanzania.
The station was banned for 3 days by the government in 2003 due to its airing of an interview with a rebel spokesman. A candidate for his country's 2010 presidential elections
, Time magazine considered Sinduhije as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008
.
On November 11, Sinduhije was arrested and jailed on a charge of "insulting the president", Pierre Nkurunziza
. He was released on 11.03.09 as he was found innocent.
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...
an journalist. He founded the Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) as a means of bringing about peace between his fellow Tutsi
Tutsi
The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....
and the Hutu
Hutu
The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...
in his often war-torn country. He thought of the idea while working at the state radio station and its stated purpose is "to humanize relations between the ethnic groups."
Start-up funds for the radio project were awarded by the Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
, with a special interest in fostering communication between Burundians inside the country and those in refugee camps in Tanzania.
The station was banned for 3 days by the government in 2003 due to its airing of an interview with a rebel spokesman. A candidate for his country's 2010 presidential elections
Burundian presidential election, 2010
A presidential election was held in Burundi on 28 June 2010. As a result of withdrawals and alleged fraud and intimidation, the incumbent was the only candidate.-Background:...
, Time magazine considered Sinduhije as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008
Time 100
Time 100 is an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, as assembled by Time. First published in 1999 as a result of a debate among several academics, the list has become an annual event.-History and format:...
.
On November 11, Sinduhije was arrested and jailed on a charge of "insulting the president", Pierre Nkurunziza
Pierre Nkurunziza
Pierre Nkurunziza is a Burundian politician who has been President of Burundi since 2005. He is the Chairman of the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy , the ruling party in Burundi, and also the current Chairman of the East African...
. He was released on 11.03.09 as he was found innocent.