Burundi crisis: World should help return baby Mahama to a safer home

Editor, Refer to the article, “Baby Mahama cries out to the leaders of Africa” (The New Times, May 3). The story is rather moving as it highlights the plight of Burundian women after being expelled from their homeland.

Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Baby Diera Mahama Irankunda, born April 23, breast feed afar days after her mother, Jeanine Minani, and thousands of other Burundian refugees arrived at Mahama refugee camp in Kirehe District. (Kenneth Agutamba)

Editor,

Refer to the article, "Baby Mahama cries out to the leaders of Africa” (The New Times, May 3).

The story is rather moving as it highlights the plight of Burundian women after being expelled from their homeland.

Those who exposed the dignity of the lady are those who drove her into refugee life and not those who published her picture in an attempt—I guess—to call the attention of the international community, including leaders in the region, to the gravity of Burundian refugees, most notably that of children and women. I rather commend The New Times for the regular and unbiased coverage it has been doing on the evolution of the situation in Burundi.

May leaders in the region and around the world hear the cry of Baby Mahima, as well as the cries of many other Burundian children currently being slaughtered by a government militia, including 15-year-old Boy Scout recently shot to death by Imbonerakure in front of his home.

The situation simply calls for help. History will remember at least that at some point in time a newspaper relayed the cry of a newborn baby seeking help and peaceful return to her homeland. At least no one will say that he did not hear the cry. Thank you The New Times.

Bela