SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EMMANUEL SINZOHAGERA SENATE SPEAKER, AT THE CLOSURE OF THE ORDINARY PARLIAMENTARY SESSION OF APRIL 2024

Honourable First Deputy Speaker of the Senate;

Honourable Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate;

Honourable Senators;

Your Excellencies Members of the Government of the Republic of Burundi,

Mister Governor of the Province Gitega,

Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives of Diplomatic and Consular Corps accredited to Burundi,

Dear Representatives of International Organizations in Burundi;

Dear Representatives of the judicial organs,

Mister Administrator of the Commune Gitega,

Dear Representatives of the Defense and Security Forces,

Dear officials of the Senate,

Ladies and gentlemen representatives of the various services working in the Political Capital of Burundi;

Dear members of the media,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning!

1. First of all, Let me give thanks to God, Creator of the world, He who guided us during this session that we are closing today and also allowed us to perfect the missions assigned to us. Please join us in cheering him in thanks!

2. Distinguished guests, welcome to the Senate, and we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to you for always coming to support us. Responding to our invitation shows us that you are interested in our activities.

3. During this ordinary session of April 2024, in accordance with articles 190, 192 and 193 of the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi, the Senate carried out various activities which are an integral part of its constitutional missions.

In the field of ​​voting on laws, the Senate analyzed and adopted sixteen (16) following bills:

• The bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi the IDA grant agreement n°. E2840-BI between the Republic of Burundi and the International Development Association (IDA) for additional financing in favour of the hydroelectric project of Jiji and Mulembwe, signed in Bujumbura, February 15, 2024;

• 2) The bill amending Law No. 1/22 of November 6, 2018 amending Law No. 1/18 of May 15, 2024 establishing the creation, mandate, composition and functioning of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

• The bill amending Law No. 1/11 of May 20, 2019 on the electoral code;

• The bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi the grant agreement no. E2820-BI between the Republic of Burundi and the International Development Association (IDA) relating to the additional financing of the foundation support project of the digital economy (PAFEN), signed in Bujumbura, January 25, 2024;

• The bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi the grant agreement no. E2910-BI between the Republic of Burundi and the International Development Association (IDA) relating to the financing of the project for access to financing for imports strategic products, signed in Bujumbura, January 25, 2024;

• Bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi loan agreement No. 5/812 between the Republic of Burundi and the Saudi Fund for Development relating to the Financing of the Rehabilitation and Equipment Project of the Kamenge University Hospital Centre ;

• Bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi the loan agreement between the Republic of Burundi and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa relating to the Financing of the Rehabilitation and Equipment Project of the Kamenge University Hospital Center, signed in Marrakech, Morocco, on October 13, 2023;

• Draft organic law No. 1/14 of February 19, 2020 relating to the reorganization of the municipal administration;

• Bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi the agreement relating to cooperation in labor matters between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Government of the Gabonese Republic, signed in Libreville, on 16 January 2024;

• Bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi the general cooperation agreement between the Republic of Burundi and the Gabonese Republic, signed in Libreville on January 16, 2024;

• Bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi the trade agreement between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Government of the Gabonese Republic, signed in Libreville, on January 16, 2024;

• Bill modifying the organic framework of Burundian public establishments;

• Bill modifying the organic framework of personalized State administrations;

• Draft settlement law and budgetary report of the Republic of Burundi for the financial year 2022-2023;

• Bill amending law No. 1/19 of September 14, 2018 amending law No. 1/15 of May 9, 2015 governing the Press in Burundi;

• Bill establishing the general budget of the Republic of Burundi for the financial year 2024-2025.

In addition, during this session, the Senate analyzed and adopted on second reading the bill establishing the electronic and postal communications code. 

Honorable Senators;

Distinguished guests;

4. In its mission of control of the government action, in accordance with the constitution in its article 168, the Parliament of Burundi met in congress on April 24, 2024 to listen to a report presented by the Prime Minister on the activities carried out, during the 1^st half of the year financial year 2023-2024.

5. On June 18, 2024, Burundi Senate also received the report from the Court of Auditors, in accordance with the Constitution of Burundi in its article 183.

6. In accordance with article 192 of the Constitution of Burundi, dated June 7, 2024, Burundi Senate approved the appointments of the candidates proposed by the Head of State to the High Council of the Magistracy.

7. Concerning participation in official ceremonies, the Senate of Burundi took part in various ceremonies such as the commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the death of President Cyprien Ntaryamira, the official launch of lessons related to Patriotism and the preparation of the 2025 elections, as well as ceremonies marking Labour and Workers’ Day.

8. We also participated in the official ceremonies of the day dedicated to patriotism under which took place the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi, in the Political Capital Gitega, on June 8, 2024. Furthermore, the Senate of Burundi joined the presidential family in a prayer of thanksgiving in Nyabihanga Commune of Mwaro Province, from June 20 to 22, 2024.

9. In the field of cooperation with other institutions with other institutions, the Senate Speaker received in audience, on April 10, 2024, Senator Olivier CADIC, representative of French people living abroad, who had come for a courtesy visit.

The Senate Speaker also received in audience the Vice-president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (APCAE), on June 4, 2024. This visitor was accompanied by members of the CABASCO, an association of Burundians who studied in China.

The Senate Speake also, on June 26, 2024, received in audience the special coordinator of FAO.

10. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, “Knowledge gained through experience is far superior and many times more useful than bookish knowledge”. Hence, on April 17, 2024, during his work mission to Washington D.C. where he participated in the World Parliamentary Forum, the Right Honorable President of the Burundian Senate received in audience Madame Valérie Huber, President of the “Institute for Women’s Health women “. Their meeting focused on the project to extend the activities of this centre to Burundi.

Still on the sidelines of this mission, Burundi Senate Speaker had also received in audience, on April 14, Honourable Carlos Austen, an American senator, and they had discussed issues related to development.

11. On behalf of the Right Honourable Senate Speaker, Honourable First Deputy Speaker received in audience, on April 16 of this year, the president of the Truth Reconciliation Commission who came to present the report of the activities carried out by this Commission during the year 2023.

Let us recall that on April 26, 2024, the Honorable Deputy Speaker of the Senate also received in audience the Ambassador of Algeria to Burundi, Mr. Hamid Boukrif, who was coming for a farewell visit.

Honourable Senators;

Distinguished Guests;

12. Regarding the control of government action, the Senate invited six ministers whose respective responsibilities include communication, public health, trade, social affairs, infrastructure, as well as energy and mines for an oral question. These government representatives provided answers to senators’ questions related to the population’s grievances.

13. In order to strengthen the ties of friendship with other parliaments, the Right Honourable Senate Speaker participated in the World Parliamentary Forum in Washington D.C, in the United States of America, jointly organized by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, (IMF), on April 15 and 16, 2024. This forum was a good opportunity to discuss the essential role to play in ending poverty and promoting shared prosperity.

The Senate Speaker also partook in the 17^th meeting of the Bureau of Speakers of Parliaments of member countries of the East African Community (EAC), which was held in Nairobi in the Republic of Kenya, on May 29, 2024. Participants in this meeting discussed the preparation of the 14^th edition of the inter-parliamentary games of the EAC member countries which will take place in Mombasa, Kenya, from December 6 to 18, 2024.

Honourable First Deputy Speaker of the Senate, for her part, participated in the second African Regional Inter-Parliamentary Conference, from May 1 to 3, 2024, in Entebbe, Uganda. Participants in this Conference discussed ways to combat global challenges for the protection of the African child, the African family and African culture and values.

Honourable Senators;

Distinguished Guests;

14. In addition to these achievements that we have just cited, on April 8, 2024, the senators followed the presentations of the reports on the field visits carried out during the parliamentary recess in March 2024, in different municipalities and in certain sectors of ministries, which allowed them to properly prepare the questions addressed to members of the government for this session of April.

15. In the area of ​​capacity building for Senators and Senate staff, the Senate of Burundi, in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a training workshop for senators and Senate staff, on 16 to18 April, 2024, in the administrative centre of Ngozi. The theme of this workshop was: “capacity building of parliamentarians members of the commission in charge of finance on the analysis of the finance bill with a focus on the analysis of the budget of the social sectors taking into account the macroeconomic indicators of Burundi”.

Moreover, on June 24, 2024, the Association of Returned Women from Burundi, (AFRABU) in acronyms, in collaboration with the Senate of Burundi, organized a workshop on “evaluation of the state of the implementation of recommendations and commitments made by its members in terms of advocacy on taking into account the gender dimension in the development of laws and public policies.

16. Concerning the field visits out by members of the Senate Bureau within the country, let us recall that they visited the provinces of Bujumbura, Cankuzo, Gitega, Karusi, Mwaro, Bubanza, Rutana, Rumonge and Bujumbura city. These visits were an opportunity to supervise and raise awareness among the population for good behaviour to adopt in order to preserve peace while continuing community development work.

Honourable Senators;

Distinguished Guests;

17. To conclude, we would like to call on the population to remain calm following these periods of shortage of fuel and some products. We hope that the Government, guided by the Almighty, is doing the utmost to overcome these challenges. Let us remind them that “difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations”

We take this opportunity to warn those who take advantage of these moments to increase the prices of these goods which have become rare on the market. Let them remember well that “Ill-gotten wealth never benefits”

18. We also seize the occasion to thank the Honourable Senators for their achievements during this session which we are closing today. You have done a commendable job of validly representing the people who mandated you. Keep the same courage and diligence during the community work in which you will participate alongside the people in your respective constituencies during these parliamentary recess.

19. This parliamentary recess coincides with students’ holidays. We invite you to instill in them the culture and good morals of our ancestors, encourage them to work and behave with dignity.

For students who will soon take the state examination giving them access to higher education, we call on them to prepare well for this examination while reminding them that “the big talent is persistence”

We end our remarks by thanking you for your participation in these ceremonies despite your multiple occupations.

It is with these words that we solemnly declare the closure of the ordinary parliamentary session of April 2024. We will meet again in this hemicycle on August 1^st 2024.

Thank You for your kind attention!

God bless you!