BUJUMBURA February 1st (ABP) – The commander of the first military division, the Brigadier General Dominique Nyamugaruka held Thursday in the capital of Kabezi commune, Bujumbura province (western Burundi), a security meeting to which were invited hillside elected officials, zone chiefs, retirees, veterans, representatives of political parties, religious denominations, civil society, young job seekers, motorcycle taxis, bicycle taxis and fishermen from the Kabezi and Mutambu communes, a check on the site by ABP.
In his welcoming address, the administrator of Kabezi commune, Mrs. Espérance Habonimana indicated that the whole commune is safe despite cases of theft in Kabezi and Gakungwe households where thieves use master keys. She added that the joint committees are at work but that they are to be revitalized in certain cases, she underlined, pointing out that there are political parties which refuse to join them.
The governor of Bujumbura province, Mr. Désiré Nsengiyumva indicated that security reigns everywhere and that the population is getting down to development work. He said he was delighted that the first military division had organized this day to raise awareness of the people of the two communes on security as a form of prevention.
The commander of the first military division, the Brigadier General Nyamugaruka indicated that this meeting follows others which were organized in the provinces Bubanza, Cibitoke and Muramvya and another organized in Mageyo in commune Mubimbi last Tuesday which brought together the communes Isare and Mubimbi.
The purpose of that meeting, he continued, is to awaken the people in all its components to play a role in monitoring, safeguarding peace and security, especially since the two municipalities are located a few kilometers away of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country which is now home to many terrorist movements and which appeal to unemployed young people.
He asked motorbike taxis, which can move criminals, to be the eye of law enforcement. To retired defense and security forces and demobilized soldiers, he asked them to supervise young people by using their bellicose experience. To religious denominations, he asked them to explain to their followers that without security, there is no development. In addition, fishermen must be careful not to move criminals and their weapons, village leaders must initiate development projects, in particular by multiplying fruit tree seedlings as part of the Ewe Burundi Urambaye project, he said.
To school principals and teachers, he asked them to report any dropouts, because school dropout is a security threat to the nation.
Closing the meeting, Brigadier General Nyamugaruka appealed to those who have already understood the national policy, not to use force against opponents or those who have not yet understood it, inviting them instead to take it easy by explaining to them and they will eventually join them.