Commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the death of the Supreme Leader of Patriotism and the National Patriotism Day

On the occasion of the ceremonies commemorating the 2nd anniversary of the death of the Supreme Guide of Patriotism and the National Patriotism Day, on Wednesday 08 June 2022, the Speaker of the Senate, Rt. Hon Emmanuel Sinzohagera, along with his wife, his two Deputy-speakers and senators, joined the Head of State, His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye and other high dignitaries of the nation, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Vice-President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman, Deputies, Members of the Government as well as Representatives of diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Burundi, during these ceremonies which took place in Gitega, the political Capital of Burundi.

These ceremonies were organized in two times. The first part took place at the Mausoleum of the Supreme Guide of Patriotism, and the second one at INGOMA Stadium in Gitega.

The first part was marked by prayers, followed by the laying of wreaths at the Mausoleum of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza, first by the Head of State, then by members of the family of the Supreme Guide of Patriotism as well as representatives of diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Burundi.

The participants then followed an excerpt, from the speech of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza, which closed the ceremonies at the Mausoleum.

Shortly after, the ceremonies continued at INGOMA Stadium, where the elected representatives, senior officials and State officials appointed by presidential decree were gathered to follow patriotic teachings. This second part of the ceremonies was articulated around four major patriotism related themes developed by national experts, to sharpen the patriotic sense of Burundian leaders.

They all praised the legacy of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza who devoted himself body and soul to bring all Burundians together around the same ideal of a united, prosperous and dignified Burundi.

In the context of reinforcing these teachings, H.E. Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic, took the floor and expressed his delight at the radical change in the mentalities of Burundians who have definitively overcome ethnic divisions and aim only at peace and socio-economic development.

He welcomed the political and administrative leaders’ will to restore the economic situation in Burundi by always making the law prevail in the management of public affairs.

However, the Head of State deplored the challenges that remain in the justice and civil service sectors. He indicated that bad behaviors that promote poverty must be condemned.