This Monday, April 11, 2022, the Minister of Defense presented and defended before the National Assembly, a draft law amending the law governing the defense and security forces number 1-04 of February 20, 2017 which, like the old constitution, speaks of supreme commander to conform to the constitution of Burundi adopted on June 7, 2018, which speaks of commander-in-chief of the defense and security corps, in its article 111.
Among the other reasons that pushed the authorities of the Burundian Defense forces to submit this law to the National Assembly for amendment, we can note the following:
– Besides the defense of the borders, sovereignty and independence of the country, the defense forces must also contribute to the development of the country. Therefore, this law provides for the creation of a unit of reserve forces and support to the development (FRAD) of the country that can be called for activities other than military to help in the development of the country.
– This law provides that retired military personnel pass through the FRAD; but for a period not exceeding two years, in order to prevent the Burundian defense forces from being made up of elderly people.
– In order to fight against terrorism, and to carry out the military activities, this new law provides for the creation of a Special Operations Unit to respond to military and operational emergencies.
The Minister of Defense said that the new law contains other amendments to the old laws, especially in the replacement of some articles in order to harmonize the missions and work of the defense forces. For example, the title of the old law refers to the training and treatment of military personnel, while the new law adds the recruitment of candidates.
