CLOSING SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EMMANUEL SINZOHAGERA, SENATE SPEAKER, AT THE CLOSING OF THE ORDINARY SESSION OF AUGUST 2022

                                                                             Gitega, October 31, 2022

Honourable Second Vice president of the Senate ;

Honourable Senators ;

Excellencies Members of the Gouvernement ;

Mister Governor of the Pronce Gitega ;

Mister Administrator of the Commune Gitega ;

Ladies and Gentlemen, representatives of judicial authorities,

Ladies and Gentlemen, representatives of the Defense and Security Corps;

Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives of Diplomatic and Consular Corps accredited to Burundi;

Ladies and Gentlemen, Representatives of International Organizations in Burundi;

Distinguished Guests,                      

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. On this day of october 31, 2022 while we close the session of the month of August, 2022, the first ordinary session among the three provided by the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi in its article 179, permit me, on behalf of the Bureau of the Senate and on my own behalf, thank the Almighty God who guided us during these three months. We have accomplished the missions for which the population has mandated us at a time when the whole country was living in peace and when the population was going about its activities normally. There were certainly some problems like lack of fuel, fertilizers, delayed rain, and many others, but thank God all these problems are solved. I would therefore like to ask you to join me in acclaiming God!
2. Secondly, I would like to thank all of you who responded massively to our invitation. This is sufficient evidence that you follow closely the way the Senate cares about the well-being of the population. We take this opportunity to thank you very much for your support whenever we need it during the various activities organized by the Senate.

Honourable Senators ;

Distinguished Guests,

• During these three months of the August session, we carried out several activities provided for by the Constitution in its articles 163, 164 and 179. During this period, we analyzed and voted 9 draft laws out of the 14 that the Government of Burundi had submitted to us. These bills were in addition to others that could not be analyzed during the previous session. Those bills are the follows:

1. Bill amending Law No. 1/35 of December 31, 2014 on the organic framework of religious denominations;

• Bill on peaceful use, safety and security of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation;

• Bill on ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the economic and technical cooperation agreement between the government of the Republic of Burundi and the government of the United Arab Emirates;

• Bill amending Law No. 1/21 of December 31, 2010 amending Law No. 1/15 of April 29, 2006 on the status of Officers of the Burundi National Defense Force;

• Bill amending Law No. 1/20 of December 31, 2010 amending Law No. 1/16 of April 29, 2006 on the status of Non-Commissioned Officers of the Burundi National Defense Force;

• Bill amending Law No. 1/19 of December 31, 2010 amending Law No. 1/17 of April 29, 2006 on the status of Troops of the Burundi National Defense Force;

• Bill on ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the amendment to the convention on the physical protection of nuclear materials;

• Bill on accession by the Republic of Burundi to the convention on the physical protection of nuclear materials;

• Bill on ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the revised Georgetown Agreement signed on June 20, 2021 in Brussels.

Honourable Senators,

Distinguished Guests,

• In addition to carrying out these various activities, members of the Senate Bureau visited different provinces where they joined the population in development activities and provided advice related to self-development, membership in cooperatives and the rational management of activities within these cooperatives, strengthening of peace and security, waste of the harvest, fight against illicit trade, etc.

• As far as we are concerned, we joined the population of Gishingano village in Isare commune in the ceremonies of the communal festival, where we had the opportunity to sensitize the population to properly maintain public infrastructure and to engage in community development work. In addition, we recalled that the Government has set up a bank for young people and another for women and we encouraged them to properly plan self-development projects so that they benefit from loans to carry them out.

• We joined the population of Kabezi commune during community development work as they were building a basic school in Mutumba. We supported that activity by giving them some cement. We took that opportunity to visit the shipyard where a boat is being built in order to facilitate the transport of goods and people in Lake Tanganyika.

• We also visited the province of Bubanza and we joined the natives of that province while they were building a modern stadium.

• Another visit was carried out to the province of Rutana in the communes of Bukemba, Giharo and Gitanga where we discussed with administrative officials about self-development, the strengthening of peace and security, the strengthening of households, foundation for the country’s development.

• During this same session, in order to get closer to the population, we visited all the communes of the province of Kirundo where we exchanged with the administrative officials. We explained to them what a good leader is, what characterizes him and what he is responsible for. Among the concerns, there is, among other things, the lack of requisite and qualified teachers to teach in technical schools such as ITABU.

1. The Honourable Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate joined the population of the province Rumonge in development activities where they were building the office of the Province.

1. The Honourable First Deputy Speaker of the Senate visited the communes of Nyabihanga, Gisozi and Rusaka in the province of Mwaro, joining the population in community development works. She also visited the commune Mugongo-Manga of Bujumbura Province, and she joined the population in repairing a part of the road linking the communes of Rusaka and Mugongo-Manga.

In the field of cooperation

1. We hosted the 9^th meeting of the Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils of Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA), and we gave an audience to many heads of delegations. We gave an audience to the Chinese Ambassador here in Burundi and we discussed mutual aid and the strengthening of cooperation. We also welcomed the Ambassador of Egypt and we discussed the strengthening of cooperation ties.

1. During this session that we are closing today, we participated in the 11^th Assembly of Speakers of Parliaments of Africa held in Midrand, South Africa. Honourable First Deputy Speaker of the Senate participated in a Congress of Parliaments of African, Caribbean and Pacific Islands held in Maputo, Mozambique. She also participated in a meeting of the European Union with African Countries, the Caribbean and Pacific Islands where she asked what is being done so that the unjust sanctions imposed on Burundi in 2016 be removed definitively.  

1. As far as he is concerned, the Honourable Second Vice Speaker of the Senate participated in a parliamentary conference organized in Kigali, Rwanda. He also participated in another conference of the Parliamentary Association of the Global Campaign for Peace organized in South Korea.

Honourable Senators;

Distinguished Guests;

1. In the framework of the control of the governmental action, in accordance with article 207 of the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi, the Senate addressed an oral question to the Minister of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism, and he answers to questions related to the lack of some products such as sugar, fuel, cement and BRARUNDI drinks.

1. During this session of August, the Parliament meeting in congress presented a report of the activities already accomplished by the Government of Burundi in the six last months of the year as stipulated in article 168, paragraph 4, at the Congress Palace of Kigobe.

1. In the course of this session, the Senate also approved the name of the Prime Minister of the Government of Burundi in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi in its article 208 of the second chapter; it also participated in the ceremonies of his swearing in and that of the members of the Government as stipulated in article 168 paragraph 7.

1. During this session, we approved, on the recommendation of the President of the Republic, the names of the Ambassadors and those of the two Governors as provided for by the Constitution in its article 192.

1. We participated in the commemoration of the 60^th anniversary of the assassination of the hero of our independence, Price Louis Rwagasore, on october 13, 2022; we also participated in the commemoration of the 29^th year after the assassination of the hero of Democracy, Mister Melchior Ndadaye. 

Honourable Senators;

Distinguished Guests;

• During this parliamentary recess, we will go to the field to join the citizens to encourage them in their development work, especially through the multiplication of production, breeding and planting of agro-forestry trees. We will continue to ensure the smooth running of cropping season A, making sure that fertilizers are available to any citizen who wants them. In addition, we will ensure that the selected seeds will be distributed to citizens.

• We will also closely monitor the implementation of the laws and measures adopted by the Government while encouraging the institutions of hillside mediators to play their role without favouritism.

• Before ending this statement, we would like to thank the Burundian Government for all the efforts it is making to find a lasting solution likely to improve the well-being of the population. We take this opportunity to urge it to fight all those who hinder the projects it intends to carry out for his citizens; and to try to court those who are found guilty of such behaviour.

• 23.To end this statement, let me thank you all for having come here, leaving aside your usual duties to join us in these ceremonies. Wishing you a good return, I would like to remind you that we will meet here again on December 1, 2022. I take this opportunity to announce that we solemnly close the ordinary session of August.

Thank you;

God bless You!