BUJUMBURA, February 21st (ABP) – After the series of presentations of the 2024 annual report of the Burundi Ombudsman institution, Aimée Laurentine Kanyana answered, on Monday, February 17, 2025, the relevant questions from MPs, relating to capacity building and the role of women leaders in leadership and in decision-making positions, and on the other hand, the position of the Ombudsman in conflict resolution, when citizens lament following insecurity as well as the contribution to improving the consideration of inclusion and equity.
Concerning conflict resolution to build peace and tighten security, Kanyana replied that five people were chosen in each commune to handle the reception of citizens’ complaints. She added that public and confidential sessions to listen to citizens’ grievances in the presence of administrative officials and executives from other sectors have taken place, to formulate recommendations that can help resolve conflicts.
In addition, she said, as the journey is not easy, the institution has resorted to community mechanisms for mediation and prevention/conflict management, an action that is, according to her, part of the dynamic culture of peace in the country, with a view to ensuring and preserving social peace.
Speaking about capacity building and the role of women leaders in leadership and in decision-making positions, the Burundian ombudsman said that all initiatives are based on the commitment of the government to make Burundi “an emerging country by 2040 and developed country in 2060”, emphasizing the contribution of citizens in the development of the country, the consolidation of peace, the promotion of good governance and the economic empowerment of the country and that of women leaders in this vision of Burundi.
Women leaders are called on to be sources of inspiration for the younger generations. Therefore, their efforts are important to encourage the younger generations and rural women to become agents of change.
Kanyana further specified that the incentive of young entrepreneurs for the perfect accomplishment in their activities is essential, in order to provide their support to the development of the country because, she mentioned, the government of Burundi has understood that youth is a key link in sustainable development policies. In terms of contributing to improving the consideration of inclusion and equity, Kanyana specified that the year 2040 aims to transform Burundi into an emerging country where every citizen will live in decent conditions, with a competitive economy focused on agribusiness, industry, mining, to name but a few.
Indeed, she underscored that the private sector is crucial to achieving the vision of Burundi.
The ombudsman did not fail to call on the population to peaceful cohesion, change of mentalities, love of labor by preaching through concrete actions of personal and community development.