GITEGA November 15th (ABP) – The President of the Republic Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye along with the 1st Lady and other high officials and executives of the country as well as the population, proceeded to the closing of the caravan of the Torch of Peace, 16th Edition, in a special evening organized on Saturday November 12, 2022 at the Ingoma stadium in Gitega, the political capital of Burundi.
View of the people cheering during the closing ceremonies of the caravan
In his speech, President Ndayishimiye reminded his compatriots of the significance of the Torch of Peace. According to him, the Torch must challenge everyone on their role in preserving peace, unity, reconciliation and social cohesion; basis of inclusive and sustainable development. It is for that reason that the President pointed out that from next year, the caravan of the said torch will pass through all the communes of the country for a month to continue to illuminate the community development works.
The President of the Republic also indicated that the year 2023 will begin in Gitega with the construction works of the monument of the torch of peace as well as a building of more than 10 levels. He thanked the “Intwararumuri” for the courage they showed wherever they went by joining the population in community development work. He offered them an envelope of 5,000,000 BIF.
According to the Leader of the “Intwararumuri” Association, bearer of the Torch of Peace, Mr. Epipode Baranyikwa, the caravan of the said torch was warmly welcomed by the people and to whom it gave a helping hand in various community development works. To that end, he stressed that this tour enabled them to discover that peace reigns everywhere in the country and that the people are working on the development works.
As a thank you, the “Intwararumuri” association offered a cow to the President of the Republic and certificates to the various ministries and governors of the provinces who contributed a lot to the success of the handover of the said torch caravan throughout the country.
Before the end of the caravan, President Ndayishimiye inaugurated the SunSet hotel in Nyabiharage and the “La Vision” school in Bwoga, in the town of Gitega and called on all private actors to contribute effectively to the development of Burundi by carrying out works that restore the image of the country.
Note that the torch of peace illuminated the works related to the concrete mix at the Technical School of Musama under construction in Giheta commune. The Minister in charge of the Interior Mr. Niteretse Martin suggested the people of Gitega to continue to go about income-generating activities to better develop and to continue to consolidate peace and security.