GITEGA/RUYIGI, February 27th (ABP) – Members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party from the areas making up Gitega and Ruyigi provinces joined other Bagumyabanga in Burundi on Saturday 22 February 2025 in celebrating the New Year 2025, festivities that took place in all areas of the country.
In the Mubuga zone, in the commune and province of Gitega, where ABP was able to follow the activities, the ceremonies were marked by a joyful march by the Bagumyabanga and a long parade. The ceremonies were highlighted by the presence of various members of the CNDD-FDD from the area, including the Director General of the Ministry of the Interior, Valentin Nahimana, in charge of territorial administration, civic education and local authorities, and the Gitega district doctor, Dr Jean Damascène Bayubahe.
The zonal secretary of the CNDD-FDD party, Nestor Nsengiyumva, in his welcoming speech, thanked the Bagumyabanga natives of this area who work in different parts of the country for their contributions to these ceremonies. He then encouraged those who had responded to the appeal to prioritise the planting of “Ruhere” avocados and coffee as export crops, adding that more than 800 avocados had already been planted in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the party’s provincial secretariat, Dr Jean Damascène Bayubahe pointed out that through this celebration, the CNDD-FDD party was promoting a spirit of fraternity and collaboration among its militants, in order to promote justice, democracy and development.
“It is for this reason that the secretary general of the CNDD-FDD party in Gitega province, Mr Georges Nshimirimana, has urged the Bagumyabanga people to continue preparing for the elections, to ensure security, to preserve peace and to ignore the rumours circulating on social networks in this pre-electoral period, where detractors are trying to sow terror among the population”, said Dr Bayubahe.
On behalf of the natives, Valentin Nahimana thanked the Bagumyabanga for their contributions to the development of the country. He called on the village councillors and the village secretaries of the CNDD-FDD party to work closely together, fighting against anything that might disturb peace and security, the sources of sustainable development.
He also called on them to remain close to the population in this pre-electoral period, in order to prepare for the elections and combat the rumours circulating on social networks. The ceremonies ended with a drink.
In Ruyigi province, the deputy secretary general of the CNDD-FDD party, Cyriaque Nshimirimana, after a show of strength at the old Uhuru stadium in Ruyigi, reminded the audience that Burundi is a treasure to be cherished and jealously guarded, and that it must be preserved from all aggressors, whoever they may be.
The leader of the Imbonerakure youth league in Buhumuza province, Shabani Nimubona, asked them to stop trusting rumours that Burundi is facing an imminent threat of annexation. He stressed that all young people must be prepared to fight for their country if war becomes necessary.
Gerard Barutwanayo, provincial secretary of the CNDD FDD in Buhumuza, sounded a similar note, warning that the forthcoming elections would only be possible if peace and security were guaranteed.
Moreover, he asked the young people of Imbonerakure and all the people of Burundi to be vigilant, to watch out for their security and to report any unknown strangers in their surroundings.