GITEGA August 3rd (ABP) – The Burundi Senate President Emmanuel Sinzohagera solemnly opened the work of the ordinary session of August, on Monday, August 2, 2021, in the political capital of the country (center). In his speech for the occasion, Mr. Sinzohagera took stock of the achievements of the Senators made during the recess they have just ended.
He said that the senators joined the people in the community development work, citing in particular the senators from Ruyigi, Cankuzo, Karusi, Bubanza, Mwaro, Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Bujumbura Mairie and Bujumbura provinces.
The senators also organized meetings during which they explained to the people the objective of the senate in the organization of the work in connection with the events of 1972 perpetrated by the government of that period, he added.
Mr. Sinzohagera clarified that this led the people to give testimonies about what they saw and that they were also invited to testify, without resentment or exaggeration, before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to facilitate its task in its work to reconcile the Burundians.
In connection with the village cooperatives, the senators asked that there be a good follow-up to avoid a poor management of the funds allocated to them, he said, before specifying that those funds are not donations but rather loans that must be repaid.
In terms of good governance, Mr. Sinzohagera said that the senators recalled the role of officials-elect in strengthening the administration from grassroots institutions. “We have also sensitized the people to continue unceasingly to fight against the Coronavirus by rigorously observing the relative barrier measures”, the president of the Senate said.
He closed his speech by indicating that in terms of cooperation, he received in audience the Nigerian ambassador to Burundi. He specified that they discussed mutual aid between the two countries.
Speaking on the activities planned during the session of August 2021, the president of the Senate indicated that the senators will analyze 14 bills.
These include the bill on ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the agreement amending for the second time the partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States, on the one hand and the European community and its member States on the other hand, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 and amended for the first time in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005.
In addition to the above mentioned, Mr. Sinzohagera ended by indicating that during the ordinary session of August, the senators will in particular continue the visits to the people so that the work of the TRC progresses further and that the truth is known on the events of 1972.
He added that the senators will continue the reminder of the people on the misdeeds of the straying of domestic animals and the poultry yard, specifying that a law relating to it will be in force from October 4, 2021.
Note that the opening ceremonies of the aforementioned session were attended by various persons in authority, including some heads of diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Burundi.