BUJUMBURA, July 2nd (ABP) – The President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has been on an official visit to Burundi since Sunday 30 June. After disembarking from the plane at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, he was escorted directly to the Ntare Rushatsi presidential palace, where he was received by his Burundian counterpart, Évariste Ndayishimye. A 21-gun salute was fired in his honour before a tête-à-tête that ended with the guest signing the visitors’ book.
The two Heads of State then travelled to Gitega Province, the country’s political capital, where they visited the Bitare area of the Bugendana commune. On arrival, they were greeted by a cheering crowd waving the flags of the two countries, a sign of fraternity between the Burundian and Chadian peoples. The two Heads of State and their entourages visited the Bugendana agro-pastoral complex in the region, initiated by President Ndayishimiye. Specifically, they visited the crop storage shed, a farm with improved cattle breeds, a field maintained by a sprinkler irrigation system during the dry season, and a greenhouse tomato farm.
The two personalities continued their visit in the commune of Giheta, in the same province, to see the tourist site of Gishora and the emblematic dance of the drummers.
They ended their tour at the presidential palace in Gitega, where President Ndayishimiye hosted a banquet in honour of his distinguished guest. Other leading figures were also invited, including members of the Burundian government.