GITEGA January 20th (ABP) – The Burundian Senate unanimously adopted, on January 19, 2022, in the hemicycle of Gitega (center of Burundi), the bill on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the protocol on privileges and immunities of the East African Community (EAC).
The Minister in charge of the Public Service, Dr. Thaddée Ndikumana, had been sent by the Burundian government to enlighten the senators on the content of the said bill. He said that this protocol is inspired by the convention that binds the member countries of that community, adding that each member country of the EAC is called upon to adopt it.
Before that activity took place, Minister Ndikumana spoke about the strategies that Burundi would adopt to increase its personnel in that community and to be able to fully enjoy the advantages of the EAC on the same footing as English-speaking countries. For him, Burundi should advocate for the equitable distribution of community institutions. In that way, one of the EAC institutions will be installed in Burundi, he explained. Moreover, he added, the Burundian economy will benefit from the fact that the staff will be supplied on the local market.
In addition, he indicated that with the accession of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the EAC, they will have strength to plead for the use of the French language in this community dominated mainly by English-speaking countries.
Embracing the remarks of the previous speaker, the Senate President, Mr. Emmanuel Sinzohagera, recommended that Burundians open up to the world that has become a global village. For more details, he recommended to know more English and Kiswahili to better integrate into the EAC.