RUTANA August 21st (ABP) – Burundi Senate President Emmanuel Sinzohagera met, on Thursday August 17, 2020, the people of Rutana, Bukemba, Gitanga and Giharo communes of Rutana province, at the headquarters of the Bukemba commune to hear the points of view of the people on the abolition or not of the ethnic quota in the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.
The majority of stakeholders, including local notables, reported that they did not see the need to consider ethnic dimension for a person to occupy any job position. Some have deplored that less competent people can occupy important positions because of their ethnic groups, which does not promote development.
They added that the ethnic problem does not only manifest itself in the area of governance, as some parents still oppose marriages between people of different ethnic groups. They proposed that the government organize awareness sessions for the people on the importance of living together in their diversity, in order to finally achieve that goal.
The Batwa who took the floor, supported the maintenance of that consideration, while asking to have some percentages like the Hutu and the Tutsi, in recognition of their existence.
Mr. Sinzohagera said that at the end of the consultations, a general report will be sent to the President of the Republic, which report will determine the government’s decision on that subject.
He called on the village leaders to organize meetings in their respective villages so that all Burundians have the opportunity to speak out on the very issue. He also called on them to note the opinions of the people in reports which will be transmitted to the administrators of the communes, who, in turn, will transmit them to the governors of the provinces, so that they reach the Senate.