GITEGA, October 2nd (ABP) – Burundi Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye joined on September 28, 2023, activists of the CNDD-FDD party from Gitega province (center of the country), in an interfaith prayer organized within the party every last Thursday of the month, under the theme: “Bagumyabanga, let us remain faithful to the divine covenant to prosper”.
In his communication for the occasion, President Ndayishimiye called on the people of Burundi to remain in the alliance that binds them with the Creator. In essence, he explained, this covenant recommends man to always be obedient to God, while doing self-development activities. In return, He showers him with his blessings.
Furthermore, he declared his gratitude to the citizens who pray for him. “I know there are many of them,” he added. He admitted that God fulfills their prayers with the strength He gives him to better serve the nation. To those who had a grudge against him, he recommended that they pull themselves together, reassuring them that they would get nowhere. “If God is for me, no one can harm me,” added the Head of State.
He also pointed out that insubordination to the authority of the Head of State is leading the country into anarchy, which is characterized by the law of the jungle or the law of the strongest. This behavior displeases the Creator. Thus, he has asked Him to mercilessly strike anyone who tries to engage in that kind of behavior.
Previously, Apostle Isidore Mbayahaga delivered similar remarks. He asked the audience to align themselves behind the vision of the Burundian government in its desire to put Burundi on the path to emergence in 2040 and to development in the true sense of the term in 2060. For more explanation, he indicated to the audience that authority emanates from God and that, wanting to dismiss the one He has given power, amounts to incurring divine wrath on oneself.
The prayer in question was attended by the president of the Burundian senate, the governor of the Gitega province, the provincial secretary of the CNDD-FDD party and activists dominated mainly by those from the urban center of Gitega.
In Bujumbura City Council, the prayer took place at the national office of the CNDD-FDD party. The preacher of the day, Pastor Venant Nahimana, got inspiration from the book of exodus where God sent Moses to tell the Jewish people that they were a people chosen by God. Thus, he pointed out that similarly, the Bagumyabanga are invested of a mission that God assigned to them, that of governing his people, he meant. To that end, he called on the Bagumyabanga responsible in different sectors, to have integrity to better carry out that mission.
Taking the floor during the prayer, the deputy secretary general of the CNDD-FDD party, Mr. Cyriaque Nshimirimana, called on the Bagumyabanga to apply the commandment to love one’s neighbor and to raise awareness for self-evaluation, with a view to changing behavior. He also indicated that “loving your neighbor” means respect for others and their property, but also respect for the common heritage. In the same way, he called on the Bagumyabanga to honor the image of the country everywhere, while calling on those who do not do so to change.
Mr. Nshimirimana also indicated that the month of September was characterized by many achievements at the level of the CNDD-FDD. According to him, the tours organized in most zones have shown that the Bagumyabanga are at work. Cooperation conventions were signed between the CNDD-FDD and the ruling party in Cuba, he mentioned.
During that month, the “Turerere Uburundi” campaign was organized to encourage the people of Burundi to review Burundian customs and tradition which suggest an honest upbringing of the child, for which everyone must feel responsible. Thereupon, he called on trainers, supervisors and parents to support the education of children at school by minimizing cases of school dropouts. He also called for synergy between stakeholders for the intellectual and human education of children by instilling in them the patriotic values, in achieving the objectives of visions 2040 and 2060.
During the month of September, which corresponds to the start of the growing season, Mr. Nshimirimana recommended that the Bagumyabanga be diligent in field work and livestock breeding to ensure household autonomy.
In Mwaro province, the interfaith prayer was attended by the first vice-president of the Senate, Mrs. Denise Ndadaye. She called on the leaders who are members of the ruling party to serve as an example in their work, to adopt behavior worthy of their names and to dialogue before making decisions.
The preacher, at the same time secretary in charge of development within the CNDD-FDD party in Mwaro commune, Mrs. Perpétue Ntirakirwa, pointed out that God manifested himself to the people of Burundi in the difficult times. She indicated that God was there to cross the people of Burundi, and we are in peace today.
She invited the participants to take the opportunity to tackle development activities, calling on them to self-evaluate and respect the commandments, because he who listens to the voice of God and keeps His covenant will enjoy happiness on this earth.