The shortage of fuel, sugar and coal affects all social categories. Whether poor or rich, businessman or teacher, we are all forced to discreetly search for these products everywhere. Products that have become rare and at unimaginable prices.
To deny the existence of a general and continuing shortage, the worst that Burundi has ever known, especially with regard to basic necessities, is simply to refuse to recognize reality. It becomes even more serious when this negation comes from the very people who are supposed to find solutions.
But that is not the main subject of this article. What is interesting to note is the reaction of some Burundians to this shortage, regardless of the real causes that caused it. In fact, these are numerous reactions which, obviously, express their indignation at this increasingly recurring and unbearable shortage.
A divine punishment!
A simple scan of social networks reveals that the fuel shortage occupies a large part of users’ spaces and statuses. Among the explanations given, we also find that which attributes this unprecedented situation to divine punishment.
Two categories of people resort to this interpretation: Christians who, as always, believe that we Burundians are essentially sinners, constantly indulging in killings, corruption and injustices of all kinds.
This belief considers any natural disaster or not (flood, war, famine, illness, falling down stairs, etc.) as a sign of God’s wrath. A divine punishment for a lazy people who had mismanaged the city of God. This category of people can be found on public transport buses, in queues, at a coal retailer in the neighborhood or to buy a kilogram of sugar, in hairdressing salons and of course throughout Facebook.
But be careful, there is something rational in this interpretation, because the laws which govern the functioning of societies, even on the economic level, can sometimes resemble divine laws. When we live beyond our means for a long period of time, our financial resources become depleted. As a result, we find ourselves in a situation where we have no money to buy essential goods. To try to get out of this, we get into debt to the point where our creditors refuse to lend to us, since we are no longer solvent. Thus, the management of the city of God to which the first refer, should begin with oneself.
Waiting for…
This explanation, which attributes responsibility to God for disasters caused by men, has no time limits. No one knows when God will want to end his punishment, because “only God knows”.
In the meantime, according to this category of believers, we must rely on God, “our Holy Savior” and act to deserve his forgiveness. This is what the thousands of Burundians do every day who fill the churches and prayer rooms, begging breathlessly for the forgiveness of their sins. Is this insane? Not necessarily, as they turned to their elected officials for relief, but to no avail.
However, there is only one way to end shortages: work more, consume less and save. And above all, we must address those who promised solutions to the fuel shortage. It’s up to those who hold the bar to draw the consequences!
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