Trouble with Charles

Mwami Mwambutsa IV, the Watutsi ruler of the kingdom of Burundi, did not seem like a man who would easily part with his throne. In fact, when the rival Bahutu tribesmen attempted to overthrow him last October, the Mwami and his men struck back so ruthlessly that at least 86 Bahutus were executed, including all of the elected officers of both houses of Parliament. Last week it seemed that the Mwami had lost his throne just the same. Not to the Bahutus. To his own son, Prince Charles Ndizeye, 19.

After last October's revolt, the 54-year-old King flew off to vacation in Switzerland with his curvaceous French companion, Josy. There he visited his son, a student at Lausanne University. A few weeks ago, young Charles, after flunking his exams, flew to Burundi, ostensibly to prepare for his father's return in late July. Instead, Charles fired off three telegrams to his father, announcing that he had seized power. Burundi's 2,750,000 inhabitants got the word through a radio broadcast from the capital of Bujumbura, in which Charles denounced the country's politicians for "dereliction of duty, stagnation, hesitation and nepotism," declared that he had dismissed the government and taken over as chief of state.

The people took it calmly enough, but the Mwami was terribly upset. "I am very unhappy," said the King. "This is my only son, but he has a knack for getting into trouble." Blaming extreme rightists for inciting Charles's move, he sent a telegram to the youth: "The royal authority has not been given to you in the proper manner, and I remain Mwami. I am willing to forgive you if you have the courage to broadcast this message to the nation. If not, your acts will be judged by history, as you are courting dangerous trouble." The father gave his son 48 hours to reply, but he would probably have to wait longer than that --if for no other reason than that communications between Burundi and Switzerland have been completely cut off.

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