BUJUMBURA October 23rd (ABP) – The association of widows and orphans for the defense of their rights (AVOD), released a statement, Friday October 20, 2023, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the assassination of the first democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye.
In that statement made public by the vice-president of the association, Mrs. Jacqueline Karibwami, AVOD pays tribute to President Melchior Ndadaye and his close collaborators for their courage and determination shown for democracy. On that occasion, AVOD condemned the enemies of democracy, and expressed its deep compassion towards the victims. AVOD thanked the State of Burundi for the laudable actions already taken, in particular the elevation of the late Ndadaye to the rank of national heroes, the establishment of the decree-law governing the status of his beneficiaries, the construction of decent accommodation for the parents of the hero of democracy. That association recommended to the government to recognize as Martyrs of democracy, all the collaborators of Melchior Ndadaye who were assassinated, to restore their rights to their dependents, to rehabilitate all Burundian citizens bruised by the various crises and to implement the judgments already rendered in that matter.
With regard to the CVR, the AVOD asked to immediately begin investigations into the other crises, among others, those of 1988 and 1993, before the eyewitnesses disappear.
That association also asked Burundian citizens to combat any divisionist spirit, not to give in to partisan manipulation and to contain them in order to overcome the suffering endured, for peaceful cohabitation and sustainable development.
The vice-president of AVOD also welcomed the government’s initiatives in discouraging embezzlers of public funds. She invited Burundians who love peace and development to remain vigilant and denounce all corruption.