The Senate Speaker Returns from Working Missions to Kenya and China

On Saturday, 23 November 2024, the Senate Speaker, Right Honourable Emmanuel Sinzohagera, returned from a working mission to Nairobi, Republic of Kenya, and Yunnan Province, to Kunming, in the People’s Republic of China.

Upon arrival at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, Right Honourable Sinzohagera shared highlights of his trip. In Nairobi, he attended the 18^th meeting of the Bureau of Parliaments Speakers of the East African Community (EAC) Member States, held on 13 November 2024. The meeting discussed three major items: election of the new Bureau of Parliaments Speakers and the handover and resumption of duties between the incoming and outgoing Bureau; exchanges on crucial issues such as climate change and official languages ​​to be used within the Community to facilitate communication and finally the preparations for the inter-parliamentary games.

The Senate Speaker took this opportunity to advocate for the reimbursement of Burundi’s contribution fees in national currency. He also appealed to the Minister in charge of the East African Community to prepare the necessary amendments to the Treaty governing the Community and transmit them to the competent authorities.

He informed Burundians that the next edition of the inter-parliamentary games will be held in Burundi, encouraging them to prepare on all levels. In addition, the country will host the meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Community next year, he said.

In Yunnan, the Senate Speaker indicated that he participated in the work of the international conference of China-friendly cities held in Kunming from 17 to 20 November 2024 on the theme: Common prosperity, Shared future. During this conference, he presented Burundi’s vision as an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060, while inviting foreign investors to come and invest in Burundi.

The Right Honourable Sinzohagera also met with the Secretary General of the Chinese Communist Party for Yunnan Province. Their discussions focused on strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two regions, both based on an agricultural economy and strategically positioned.

The two personalities stressed the importance of establishing platforms for exchanges on the administrative, educational, social and artistic levels, as well as exploring possibilities for twinning between Yunnan Province and the five provinces of Burundi.

Finally, he took advantage of this visit to request that Burundi be represented at the next exhibition, highlighting its coffee, recognized as the best in the world.