BUJUMBURA, February 20th (ABP) – The Republic of Burundi and the Kingdom of Belgium proceeded on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to the signing of the internal regulations of the Joint Consultation Committee of the “Ntusigare inyuma” programme, a Burundi-Belgium partnership for a 2024/2028 period.
According to Bart Pennewaert, Deputy Director General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, this programme, which marks a new dynamism of cooperation between the two countries, has a budget of 75 million euros. It will be implemented in the provinces of Cibitoke and Kirundo, he specified. It is a framework which aims at the impact of interventions in the five sectors that Belgium supports through its cooperation agency, he said.
In his remarks, Pennewaert indicated that this programme is fully in line with the priorities of the Burundian government, namely the national development plan and the vision of Burundi: emerging country by 2040 and a developed country in 2060.
This is also the first programme concluded since 2010, but in fact, Belgian cooperation has never left Burundi behind, he underscored. For this, he indicated that Belgium is, and will remain committed to working and improving the quality of life of the Burundian population.
Despite the many challenges facing Burundi, the “Ntusigare inyuma” programme will aim to strengthen and build resilience among the most vulnerable populations, namely women, girls and young people.
Mr. Pennewaert also pointed out that the concentration of the programme on the two provinces (Cibitoke and Kirundo) will meet the needs of the strong coherence of the programme, allowing synergies between the interventions of the different sectors. The success of the programme will depend on shared efforts, he said.
Although there have been ups and downs in the past between Burundi and Belgium, common sense has always triumphed, said Syldie Manirerekana, assistant to the minister in charge of Foreign Affairs. He said that these bonds of friendship have allowed for a constructive, fruitful and enriching partnership in various areas, and the implementation of concrete and sustainable cooperation actions. Mr. Manirerekana also specified that this has aligned Belgium as the leading bilateral partner for many years before 2015.
For him, the work of the joint consultation committee is mandated to monitor the goals agreed in the specific agreement concluded between the two countries in 2023, which goals aim for sustainable agribusiness systems through the support and modernization of more efficient agriculture; equitable and inclusive access to quality social services through support for the health and basic education sectors, as well as professional integration, particularly through the development of professional skills, governance and citizen participation through capacity building in planning and performance management, he said.
For this, Manirerekana calls on the relevant sectoral ministries to commit their know-how, determination and usual unwavering will, so that the projects of the programme are carried out before the end of the deadline.
The Belgian Ambassador to Burundi, Michael Climmer, for his part, calls for transparent and open cooperation to overcome current challenges and promote international solidarity with a view to Burundi’s 2040-2060 vision.
He further emphasized solidarity with the populations affected by regional conflicts, while reaffirming his country’s commitment to a solution that respects international values and law.