BUJUMBURA/BUHUMUZA/GITEGA/BURUNGA, Oct 22 (ABP) – Burundi marked, on Tuesday October 21, 2025, the 32nd commemoration of the assassination of Melchior Ndadaye, the first democratically elected president of Burundi.
In Bujumbura Province, the Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye, accompanied by his wife Angeline Ndayishimiye, honored with his presence, on Tuesday October 21, 2025, the ceremony held at the Mausoleum of the Martyrs of Democracy, commonly known as “Kwa Ndadaye”, to commemorate the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye. The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials including the Vice President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the National Assembly and his wife, the Senate Lord Speaker, the Presidents of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, former President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya and his wife, the widow of the late President Melchior Ndadaye, the widow of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza, and senior defense and security officers, among others.
Following military honors and the national anthem, the presidential couple laid a wreath on the tomb of the late President Melchior Ndadaye. In front of the tomb, they observed a moment of silence and paid tribute through a gesture of humility. They also laid a wreath at the monument to the Unknown Soldier.
After the wreath-laying, the participants proceeded to the Regina Mundi Cathedral to attend the requiem mass presided over by the Archbishop of the Diocese of Bujumbura, Gervais Banshimiyubusa. The day’s readings were from the Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans, chapter 5: 12.15b.17-19.20b-21 and the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 12: 35-38.
Based on these Scriptures, Banshimiyubusa, in his homily, called on the congregation to stay in “service attire,” meaning to be ready and vigilant while awaiting the return of the Lord, like servants expecting their master’s return. He reminded them that we must live in mutual support on this earth, sharing both suffering and joy.
“The unthinkable was done in killing a democratically elected president, without consideration for the consequences,” he noted, calling for the preservation of the legacy of the late President Ndadaye, who stood for justice, unity in diversity, and equality among citizens.
The Archbishop of Bujumbura invited the Burundian people to invoke the Holy Spirit for guidance in acting with discernment and freeing themselves from all evil that distances them from God. “No evil goes unnoticed or without consequence, whether in the short or long term,” he said, assuring that for one who has received salvation, evil cannot take root in them.
Banshimiyubusa concluded his homily by invoking the Almighty to bless Burundi, its leaders, and its citizens.
After the mass, the representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to Burundi; the family of the late President Melchior Ndadaye; former President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya and his wife; the Speaker of the National Assembly; the political parties recognized in Burundi, including Sahwanya-FRODEBU (the party of the late President), CNDD-FDD, UPRONA, FNL, Kaze-FDD, CNL, RADEBU and APDR; and the Association of Widows and Orphans for the Defense of their Rights (AVOD), each laid wreaths on the tombs of President Ndadaye and his companions.
According to former President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, President Ndadaye was a humble person who did not seek to put himself forward and who gave great importance to human rights to the extent that he had envisioned abolishing the death penalty. Ndadaye prioritized the interests of the ordinary citizen, and in his development strategy, he was aware that what was being done was not for the elites, but for the people, Ntibantunganya told the press.
“On this occasion, within the UPRONA party, we reflect on his legacy as a hero of democracy. President Melchior Ndadaye stood for human rights and national unity. He envisioned a Burundi where all Burundians could live together peacefully, enjoy social justice, and truly benefit from their rights without being mistreated or killed based on their political or ethnic background,” said Olivier Nkurunziza, president of the UPRONA party, during the 32nd commemoration ceremony of the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye.
In Mpanda commune, three political parties laid wreaths at the monument of President Melchior Ndadaye: Sahwanya FRODEBU, CNDD-FDD, and APDR. The celebrations were honored by the presence of the communal administrator, Léopold Ndayisaba.
In his speech, the communal administrator, Ndayisaba, called on local residents to be worthy heirs of the hero of democracy, the late Melchior Ndadaye, by contributing, each in their own way, to the well-being of Burundians and the development of the country, and to the success of Vision 2040-2060.
During the prayer at the Catholic Church of Gifurwe, which opened the festivities, the priest leading the mass urged the faithful to break away from sin, especially the sin of killing, while respecting human dignity. He invited them to remain faithful disciples of Jesus, always prioritizing love for one’s neighbor, truth, justice, and forgiveness, which, according to him, are the pillars of peace and development.
Note that all public and private service flags in the area were flown at half-mast.
In Gitega province, the people of Gitega (in the center of the country) also took part in commemorating the assassination of the late President Melchior Ndadaye, hero of democracy in Burundi.
The ceremonies, presided over by the provincial governor, Liboire Bigirimana, were held at the monument dedicated to him. They were attended by provincial authorities and a large crowd.
Beginning with an ecumenical prayer, the ceremonies continued with the laying of wreaths at the monument by the provincial governor and the communal administrator of Gitega, as well as provincial representatives of political parties such as CNDD-FDD, FRODEBU, UPRONA, ADR, APDR, CODEBU, RANAC, and representatives of the family of the late Ndadaye.
The ceremonies concluded with a broadcast of the speech given by the late Ndadaye at his inauguration as head of the Burundian state. Seven key ideas stood out in this speech: the establishment of genuine unity, the promotion of work to lead Burundi toward development, equitable sharing of national wealth, and good governance.
The populations of Kiganda and Muramvya communes commemorated the 32nd anniversary of the assassination of Melchior Ndadaye, the first democratically elected president of Burundi, ABP noted.
In Muramvya commune, the ceremonies were held at the monument to democracy. Wreaths were laid respectively by the communal administration, represented by its administrator Eric Nkurunziza and its executive secretary, and by the CNDD-FDD, FRODEBU, and UPRONA parties.
According to Administrator Nkurunziza, “this commemoration is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of national unity and the promotion of democracy.” He also urged leaders to avoid favoritism and corruption, and to promote activities aimed at implementing the vision of a prosperous and developed country. He concluded by calling on the audience to show solidarity and apply the teachings of Burundi’s heroes.
In Burunga province, the populations of the communes of Makamba and Nyanza joined other Burundians in commemorating the assassination of the hero of democracy and his fellow combatants.
In Makamba, the ceremonies began with a memorial mass celebrated at the Catholic Parish of Saint Peter Claver of Makamba, where the parish priest, Pierre Niyonkuru, reminded Burundians of the importance of having a forgiving heart. For him, forgiveness is not a failure, since the path of revenge leads nowhere, or if it does, it leads to catastrophe.
The celebrations continued at the site dedicated to national heroes, where administrative authorities, religious leaders, representatives of defense and security forces, and political party representatives laid wreaths.
In his speech, the chief of staff to the governor’s office, Etienne Mbonihankuye, stated that the democracy advocated by the late President Melchior Ndadaye will be strengthened when each Burundian embraces the vision of a developed Burundi. According to him, the population must also understand that hygiene and sanitation are essential practices for achieving that vision.
In Bururi commune, the ceremonies began with a thanksgiving mass celebrated at the Queen Mary Cathedral of Bururi, followed by wreath-laying by the communal administration of Bururi, and the CNDD-FDD, UPRONA, and FRODEBU parties. The local population listened to the speech President Ndadaye gave after FRODEBU’s victory in the 1993 elections. The communal administrator of Bururi, Godelive Ntakirutimana, stated that safeguarding democracy means promoting freedom, peace, and development.
She expressed concern about an unusual phenomenon observed in certain areas of Bururi commune, where young people are living in informal unions under the same roof as their parents, and the children born of such unions are not registered in the civil registry. The Bururi administrator also urged educators to be vigilant in supervising students, noting that some of them skip classes and loiter in the streets.
Finally, Ntakirutimana asked the people of Bururi to support the students of the Nyabigina Technical School in Makamba commune who lost everything in a dormitory fire.
The commune of Cankuzo in Buhumuza province joined the rest of the country in commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the assassination of the hero of democracy, President Melchior Ndadaye.
The administrator of the commune, Marie Rose Nahimana, called on the population to listen to and follow the advice of leaders to ensure the country’s vision is achieved.
In this regard, Nahimana urged them to engage in self-development activities, promoting coffee farming, avocado cultivation, and other export crops. She also reminded them of the importance of cleanliness in households, markets, schools, and the lighting of roads connecting neighborhoods throughout the city of Cankuzo.
The ceremonies began with a mass celebrated at the Cankuzo parish, followed by the laying of wreaths at the monument of unity by the administration, defense and security forces, and political parties: CNDD-FDD, FRODEBU, CODEBU, and UPRONA.
In Butanyerera province, ceremonies marking the 32nd commemoration of the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye in the commune of Ngozi began with a mass celebrated at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Ngozi.
During this mass, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ngozi, Georges Bizimana, emphasized forgiveness, the primacy of love, peace, and justice. He urged Christians present to refrain from harming others, reminding them not to do unto others what they would not want done to themselves. He encouraged taking the initiative to do good to those around us and not to repay evil with evil, but rather to promote kindness. Bizimana stated: “If we want to build a better future for our country and our families, we must foster a culture of forgiveness, but without forgetting justice.”
The ceremonies continued at the national heroes monument in front of the Butanyerera provincial office, where wreaths were laid in tribute to the late president. Participants also listened to the speech President Ndadaye gave after his party, FRODEBU, won the 1993 elections.
In his closing remarks, the chief of staff at the main office of Butanyerera, Alain Patrick Muhero, urged the citizens of Ngozi commune to always remember Ndadaye’s legacy and to carry out the development projects he envisioned for the country.