Burundi's President Urges Unity In Independence Speech

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye urged Burundians on Thursday to unite and work for economic sovereignty.

Ndayishimiye said economic independence would be possible only through hard work.

"All Burundians need to preserve the achievements of independence by contributing, through increased production, to the economic independence of Burundi. Economic independence must be our priority," he said in a televised address on the eve of the country's 60th independence anniversary.

"The 60th anniversary of independence comes at a time when unity and social cohesion have become a reality," he said.

Ndayishimiye deplored the loss of Burundi's sovereignty during the time of colonization which he said eroded the country's culture.

Burundi and Rwanda mark their 60th independence anniversary Friday.

Formerly administered under Ruanda-Urundi, the two countries in East Africa acquired independence from Belgium on July 1, 1962.

Burundi returned to the international scene earlier this year following the lifting of economic sanctions which were imposed by the EU amid a deteriorating political situation six years ago.

Fortune Gaetan Zongo, the United Nations special rapporteur on Burundi's human rights, said this week that Burundi has made progress on human rights.

He noted that since Ndayishimiye assumed power, he has pardoned more than 5,000 people in detention and freed journalists and civil society representatives.

"But despite this major progress achieved since 2020, additional efforts are still necessary in the areas of fighting impunity, in beefing up institutions, notably in the justice sector, the police and the army," said Zongo.

Last year, the US lifted sanctions on the country's military and security officials, citing positive political developments following the 2020 elections. -