BUJUMBURA October 25th (ABP) – Burundi commemorated Friday, October 21, 2022, in all provinces of the country, the 29th anniversary of the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye, national hero of democracy.
In Bujumbura City, the ceremonies began with a mass in his memory at the Regina Mundi cathedral, in the presence of the high authorities of the country, including the presidential couple, the presidents of the two chambers of parliament, the Vice-President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Burundian Ombudsman, the Secretary General of the ruling party, the wife of the late President Melchior Ndadaye and t
Also present in those ceremonies were members of the Government, senior executives of the State, senior executives of the defense and security corps, members of the diplomatic and consular corps accredited in Burundi, representatives of the various political parties approved in Burundi and others.
In his homily, the vicar of the Archdiocese of Bujumbura, Mgr Anatole Ruberinyange referred to the word of the day speaking of solidarity, the consolidation of unity and development, also recalling that on October 21, 1993, the fire of peace has faded to give way to violence. He also recalled that the commemoration of the day of October 21 is therefore an opportunity for Burundians to remember the legacy of President Melchior Ndadaye, peacemaker, promoter of the dignity of the human person and of unity. He took that opportunity to call on all Burundians in general and the authorities in particular to appropriate the legacy of the late President Ndadaye in order to build a free and democratic nation.
The ceremonies marking the 29th anniversary of the assassination of the hero of democracy continued at the place of the martyrs of democracy where this illustrious deceased is buried. After the reading of the biography of the late President Melchior Ndadaye, the President of the Republic Evariste Ndayishimiye, accompanied by his wife, laid the wreath in tribute to the late President Ndadaye, hero of democracy.
The same act was then taken respectively by the representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps accredited to Burundi, the biological family of the late President Melchior Ndadaye, the families of his companions who disappeared with him, as well as the representatives of political parties and civil society.
Before the closing of the day’s ceremonies, the participants listened to the speech that the late President Melchior Ndadaye delivered on the occasion of his inauguration, thanks to the victory of his political party SAHWANYA-FRODEBU in 1993.
In Bubanza province (North-West of Burundi), the inhabitants of all five communes met at the provincial capital for the festivities. Eight political parties laid their wreaths at the monument of President Melchior Ndadaye, namely Sahwanya FRODEBU, CNDD-FDD, UPRONA, CNL, FNL, APDR, ADR and CNDD.
In his speech, the governor of Bubanza province, Cléophas Nizigiyimana, rejoiced that the program of the hero of democracy is being implemented, in particular security for all, credible defense and security forces, practice of Democracy, development for all, knowledge of the painful past, and others. In order to be good heirs to the hero of Democracy, the governor of Bubanza asks the inhabitants of his province to overcome all their tendencies, to overcome laziness and to devote themselves to self-development projects, and development of their homeland. He calls them to brotherhood, solidarity and mutual help, and respect for authorities. It should be noted that the festivities began with a prayer at Christ the King Cathedral in Bubanza, where, during the homily, the priest invited Christians to respect human life, good coexistence and complementarity.
In Bujumbura province (western Burundi), Mutimbuzi commune hosted the day’s ceremonies which began with a mass in memory of the illustrious deceased. The festivities continued with the laying of wreaths at the monument to the hero of democracy in the capital of the commune by the governor’s office, the Mutimbuzi commune, the CNDD-FDD party at the provincial level, the CNDD-FDD in Mutimbuzi commune, the FRODEBU party, the CODEBU iragi rya Ndadaye, APDR and the FNL in Bujumbura province. The UPRONA and CNL parties will have been conspicuous by their absence.
After listening to President Ndadaye’s speech on the occasion of his party’s victory, the governor of Bujumbura province castigated the behavior of certain political parties which did not deign to join the others during the commemorations which took place took place on October 13 and 21, in this case FRODEBU which did not appear on October 13 in Mukike and UPRONA which did the same on October 21 in Mutimbuzi. He asked the political parties to pull themselves together because national heroes are for all Burundians, he insisted. To the population of Bujumbura, he asked them to safeguard peace and security and to get down to development work, by grouping into cooperatives to increase production.
In Bururi province, the ceremonies began with a mass of thanksgiving celebrated at the Marie Reine de Bururi cathedral and continued at the independence monument where wreaths of flowers were laid by the provincial administration, representatives approved political parties including CNDD FDD, UPRONA, SAHWANYA FRODEBU, APDR and ADER. The population present followed the speech of President Melchior Ndadaye during the victory of the 1993 elections and finally Governor Léonidas Bandenzamaso asked the people to promote unity, a characteristic sign of good coexistence, development and social cohesion.
In the province, Cankuzo, the commemoration of the 29th anniversary of the assassination of the hero of democracy began with a mass of thanksgiving celebrated at Rusagara communal high school in Kigamba commune. Followed by the laying of wreaths on respectively by the administration and the political parties namely: CNDD-FDDD, FRODEBU, CODEBU, UPRONA, CNL and ADR.
In his homily, Father Jean Baptiste Kamiriro of Muremera parish called on the population to fight against any spirit of racial or ethnic discrimination, but to simplicity and love that lead to reconciliation with each other. To the leaders, he asked them to ensure the harmony of all to promote democracy.
The governor of this province Cankuzo Mr. Boniface Banyiyezako urged the population to follow the legacy of President Ndadaye to promote unity, by striving for self-development works, but also love and solidarity.
In Cibitoke province, the ceremonies saw the large participation of the people, in the provincial capital. They began with a general prayer followed by the laying of 10 wreaths on the monument erected for the hero of democracy. Those who prayed thanked God for the rain, and asked for blessing for the leaders and the people of Burundi, called to follow the ideals of President Ndadaye. Participants listened to the advice-packed speech of the late President Ndadaye after the 1993 victory.
The ceremonies in Gitega province began with a mass of thanksgiving, read by Bishop Bonaventure Nahimana, at the Catholic parish, Rukundo holy sacrament. In his homily, Bishop Nahimana asked the people to have an open heart for reconciliation to prevent the country from falling back into chaos. After the mass, wreaths of flowers were laid at the monument erected in memory of the illustrious deceased, the provincial authority, the communal administrator, the family of the late Ndadaye, the political parties, such as CNDD-FDD, SAHWANYA- FRODEBU, CODEBU Iragi rya Ndadaye, CNL, FNL, APDR, PMP Abagenderabanga and ADR.
The governor’s speech takes on the substance characterized by peace for all, the defense of democracy, respect for rights in all its dimensions, true national unity, true social justice, the equitable sharing of the national cake, the culture of love of work in all socio-professional strata and respect for the national heritage. The speech for the occasion was that which the late Ndadaye had on the occasion of his investiture in the functions of high command of the State.
In Karusi, after a mass in memory of the hero of democracy, the other ceremonies took place at the monument of independence and unity. The administration, the defense and security forces as well as four political parties namely the CNDD-FDD, the UPRONA, APDR and FRODEBU laid wreaths at the monument. President Ndadaye’s speech during his inauguration was listened to in its entirety before Governor Innocent Ntirampeba’s chief of staff addressed the population present. Returning to this speech, the governor’s chief of staff insisted on respect for human rights, love of work and fair sharing of the fruits of that work. He invited the community of Karusi to jealously guard the peace that reigns there without recalling the consequences it experienced following the 1993 crisis.
In Kayanza province (north), the ceremonies began with a mass in his memory celebrated at the Christ King parish located in the capital of Kayanza province. They continued at the monument of the hero of democracy where wreaths of flowers were laid respectively by the provincial and communal administration, the police, the judiciary and the political parties working in Kayanza province. After that, the participants in the ceremonies proceeded to listen to the speech delivered by the late President Melchior Ndadaye.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the governor of Kayanza, indicated that democracy is practically impossible if the production is not good. He thus invited the inhabitants to strengthen unity, to get down to work and to avoid looking at each other like earthenware dogs. He warned those who still practice bean and mineral fraud.
In Kirundo province, Governor Albert Hatungimana asked the people of Kirundo to follow the legacy of Melchior Ndadaye who left the message to Burundians that we must work courageously in all sectors with a view to increasing production and cope with poverty. He added that everyone is called upon to monitor those people who mistreat others so that they are punished according to the law. It is by this way that we consolidate democracy, hammered the governor. He also pointed out that the population of Kirundo recognizes the posthumous work of Melchior Ndadaye who had promised during his propaganda to transform the prison which was under construction into a high school. And here is the Kirundo high school which has educated a lot of executives in the country. The provincial governor reported that the province is requesting that the name of Melchior Ndadaye be attributed to this historic high school.
The ceremonies of the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the assassination of the Hero of Democracy President Ndadaye Melchior in Makamba began with the mass in his memory celebrated at the parish of Saint Pierre Claver where the priest Pierre Niyonkuru asked the population to have a forgiving heart.
After mass, the ceremonies continued at the monument of unity with the laying of wreaths at the monument of unity. In his speech the governor, Mrs. Françoise Ngozirazana, indicated that President Ndadaye was assassinated by soldiers after only 100 days in power. The people will have to strengthen democracy, truth and protect general interests. She added that the people should continue to show solidarity and avoid all kinds of divisions.
In the province of Muyinga (north-eastern Burundi), the ceremonies have been relocated to the commune of Gasorwe. A mass of thanksgiving in memory of this illustrious deceased preceded the day’s ceremonies. The July 1st monument welcomed the wreaths laid by representatives of the administration, law enforcement and political parties. The audience was entitled to follow an extract from the late President Ndadaye.
In his speech, Governor Jean Claude Barutwanayo invited the audience, young and old alike, to safeguard the values, the legacy of this politician.
In Ngozi, ceremonies began with a mass. Eleven wreaths were laid on the monument of national heroes. The participants, mainly Fundamental students, were entitled to the speech delivered by President Melchior Ndadaye during his investiture on July 10, 1993 after the victory of the FRODEBU Party in the legislative elections of June 29, 1993.
Provincial Governor Emmanuel Ntaconsanze urged residents of Ngozi to reflect on President Ndadaye’s speech and continue his legacy for a new Burundi of unity, tolerance, respect for rights and sustainable development.
In Rutana province, the ceremonies began with a requiem mass which was celebrated at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Rutana, and the laying of wreaths by officials including the governor of the province, representatives of the police and security as well as representatives of political parties. In his speech, the governor of the province of Rutana, Mr. Olivier Nibitanga indicated that this day should serve the people of Burundi as an opportunity to reflect on the past of Burundi, to ensure that this past never happens again. He called on the population of the province to keep peace and security, as well as to join cooperatives for their development and that of the country.
In Rumonge, the commemorative ceremonies were marked by a requiem mass celebrated at the Catholic parish of Rumonge and the laying of wreaths at the monument of unity by the administrative staff, officials of the defense and security corps as well as representatives of political parties. Various speeches were also made after listening to the full speech of President Melchior Ndadaye.
Governor Comforter Nitunga invited the population to promote love and unity, and above all forgiveness among themselves. According to him, this approach will make it possible to accelerate the self-development of the population and to consolidate the democracy bequeathed by Melchior Ndadaye.