GITEGA, April 10th (ABP) – The Burundian ombudsman, Aimée-Laurentine Kanyana, has recommended that the Burundian government ensure that the administrative officials of the next legislature take up their duties, after first teaching them about the missions assigned to them. That would help to further improve their performance.
Kanyana voiced her opinion in the senate hemicycle in Gitega, in Burundi’s political capital (in the centre of the country), where she was invited to present the senators with the report on the achievements of the institution in her charge, covering the period from 22 November 2023 to 31 December 2024.
Explaining her point of view, Kanyana said that she was starting from the observations made by certain local administrative officials, and even some heads of state services, who were reluctant to apply the injunctions issued by the hierarchy, she deplored. For greater clarity, she cited, among other things, the case of the plastic bags that are still being noticed, the insalubrity of health facilities and the poor maintenance of facilities at the University of Burundi. That persists despite calls from the country’s highest authorities for adequate hygiene and sanitation throughout the country. That is an eloquent sign that raising awareness is worthwhile,” she added.
In the same vein, the Burundian ombudsman deplored the fact that the remarks she makes to certain officials are not always applied, before asking the Burundian government to enact a law to give the institution of the ombudsman the power to punish recalcitrant offenders.
However, she pointed out, in conjunction with the country’s other institutions, the institution has had a positive impact. By way of illustration, she explained, there has been a decline in the number of complaints, because the population has been made aware of the primacy of mediation over legal proceedings. That approach strengthens social cohesion,” she enthused. She added that the institution of the ombudsman will continue to publicise its interest in serving the nation.
Moreover, she believes, the country’s sustainable development depends on it, as does the vision of a Burundi that will be emerging in 2040 and developed in 2060.
During the discussions on the said report, the senators appreciated the achievements made and asked clarifying questions to the Burundi Ombudsman, to which she gave satisfactory answers.